Wanted Man Could Be In Southampton

Avon and Somerset and Hampshire Police are asking for the public's help to find a man missing from prison in Gloucester.

Dean Hammond, aged 32, was last seen at 5pm on Tuesday (September 18) at HMP Leyhill and was reported missing later that day. He has been serving an indeterminate sentence since 2006 when he was convicted for making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon.

Hammond is described as a white man, 6ft tall, with a stocky build and dark shaved hair. He has numerous tattoos on his arms and chest.

Avon and Somerset Detective Constable Nadine Partridge said: "Since Dean Hammond was reported missing we have been conducting enquiries to locate him and return him to custody. He has connections to the Southampton area and it is possible he may return there. I would appeal to anyone who has seen him to contact us immediately.

"We are committed to locating, returning to custody and charging anyone unlawfully at large. We work closely with HMP Leyhill and other police forces to track down absconders promptly and keep any potential risk to the public to a minimum."

HM Prison Service said: "Over 96 per cent of prisoners who abscond are recaptured and returned to custody. On recapture the prisoner is returned to a closed prison. Leyhill has a special function in preparing life sentence prisoners for release before their return to the community. The prison works in partnership with learning and skills providers on education programmes designed to reduce re-offending on release, including work and training placements within the community."

Anyone who has seen Dean Hammond should not approach him and should contact police on 999.