Alex ‘is well and providing information’

Alex is now apparently with social services while Greater Manchester Police work with French authorities.

Manchester cops said: “This is a complex and long-running investigation, and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place.” 

A French police spokesman added: “We can confirm that the young man who has been found is Alex Batty. He is well and providing information”.

Alex’s grandmother ‘thrilled’

Susan spoke to The Sun from her home today and said she was “thrilled” that her grandson has finally been found. 

She said: “I am so happy. I have spoken to him and he is well. 

“He is currently with the authorities in France. It is such a shock. 

“I don’t know where his mum is. It is great news. I am just waiting for him to come home – I am thrilled.”

Mystery solved

Alex hadn’t been seen in six years until he showed up on Thursday in Revel, near Toulouse in France, almost 900 miles from where he was last seen.

The 17-year-old reportedly fled a rural “spiritual community” in the Pyreneese mountains where he had been living in caravans and tents with Melanie and David.

Alex’s mum ‘didn’t believe in mainstream school’

Speaking in 2018, Alex’s guardian and grandmother Susan said: “On the Sunday, they were due back in the afternoon and my husband was going to go and pick them up.

“I got this message on Facebook and it was a YouTube video of the three of them.

“They all spoke on it and Melanie said the reasons why they had done what they had done.

“Alex said it was a million times better being with his mum and grandad. Obviously it hurt me a bit but then my other concerns kicked in.

“The reason I believe they have done this is because basically my lifestyle, my belief systems, are not what they agree with – just simply living day to day, how normal people do.

“They didn’t want him to go to school, they don’t believe in mainstream school.”

Who is Melanie Batty?

Melanie Batty is the mother of Alex, who is reportedly living in France.

However, it is understood that Melanie did not have legal parental guardianship of her son.

Who is Alex Batty and when did he go missing?

Alex Batty is a boy from Lancashire who went missing six years ago but has now been found.

He was 11-years-old when he went missing in 2017.

He went on holiday with his mum, Melanie, 37, and grandfather David, 58, when he was apparently abducted in Spain.

Alex went away on the pre-agreed trip with his other family members but his grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana stayed at home in the UK.