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A schoolboy is missing after falling off Tower Bridge and into the River Thames, his headmaster has said.

Specialist officers from City of London Police have been leading the search after the child fell into the river just after 08:00 BST on Tuesday.

The Year 8 Ark Globe Academy pupil was said to have been travelling with a friend on a bus on Tuesday morning but did not arrive at school.

Police are treating it as a missing person case.

In a letter to parents, executive principal Matt Jones said the boy was in full school uniform and got off the bus near the bridge, before his usual stop closest to the school in Elephant and Castle.

He then fell into the River Thames, Mr Jones said.

City of London Police confirmed its officers were leading an investigation into a missing person, linked to an incident in which a child fell into the river from Tower Bridge.

The force said despite an "intensive search" by officers, helicopter and marine units, the boy had not been found.

Mr Jones added: "This is obviously distressing news for the young person's family, friends, and the wider Ark Globe Community.

"As a school community, we are dealing with this sensitively so as not to compromise the integrity of the police investigation and we wish to respect the privacy of the family while the investigation is ongoing.

"Our hopes and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time."