Police are searching for a man missing in the water near Ōhope after he fled from police last night and swam away.

Police responded to a family harm-related incident at Ōhope Beach about 6pm yesterday, Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said.

“When officers arrived, the alleged offender – a 48-year-old Whakatāne man - ran away and jumped into the harbour.

“Officers engaged with him and attempted to get him to come out of the water but he refused, continuing to walk away from them.

“When the man started swimming further away and against the outgoing tide, members of the public who were nearby sourced paddleboards, kayaks and a boat and went to assist, but the man was not located.”

Coastguard and rescue helicopters were deployed to assist the search for the man, but he has not been found.

A search for the man will continue today, with the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.