Day five of a desperate search for a missing toddler on the NSW mid-north coast has yielded no results, increasing fears he may have met with foul play.
Police confirmed sniffer dogs brought in to search around Kendall, near Port Macquarie, for William Tyrell had found no scent trail of the three-year-old.
William vanished from his grandmother's home on Friday morning with community and police initially scouring surrounding bushland.
After days without a trace of the young boy, who was dressed in a bright red Spiderman suit, specialist police including officers from the sex crimes squad, were brought in.
Known sex offenders in the area have been contacted to confirm their whereabouts at 10.30am last Friday.
Superintendent Paul Fehon said police were baffled.
"Unfortunately we are disappointed that we have been unable to come up with any lead at this point in time," he told reporters.
"We are taking all information seriously and we will be exploring all avenues."
Police sniffer dogs have not been able to determine any sign of the boy.
A friend of the Tyrell family, Nicole, said William loved being outside but knew the limits.
"He knew where to go and where not to go," she said.
Strike Force Rosann has been created to solve the case.
The team is made up of investigators from State Crime Command, the mid-north coast and Manning Great Lakes local area commands, and a forensic team.
The search was expanded on Tuesday from 1.5km around the home, which backs onto bush, out to three kilometres with police on trail bikes venturing further afield.
"The whole operation has covered in excess of 10 square kilometres," Supt Fehon said.
A family friend described William as a "gorgeous little boy".
Crime Stoppers can be contacted on 1800 333 000.
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