Police are searching for a man missing in the water near Ōhope after fleeing from Police last night.

At 6pm, police responded to a family harm-related incident at Ōhope Beach, said Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Conney.

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

"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."

Conney said the coastguard and rescue helicopters were then deployed to assist the search for the man, but the man has not as yet been found.

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