Manhunt for prisoner who escaped van after assaulting guard in Woolwich

Detectives are trying to track down a prisoner who escaped from a police van in southeast London.  

Temitope Segun, 25, fled from a prisoner transport van in Woolwich on Monday, sparking an urgent manhunt to find him.  

Segun is said to have possible links to Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Woolwich, and he was wearing a black jacket, black trousers and black trainers when he was last seen.

The public has been told not to approach the man if he is spotted, and instead call 999. 

He escaped from the van while on his way from court to HMP Thameside, injuring a staff member from contractor Serco responsible for the transport.

The Serco worker is recovering at home after attending A&E.

Segun is in prison for a number of offences, including the supply of Class A drugs, Metro understands.

A Serco spokesperson said: ‘An incident occurred on the evening of Monday 8 June in Woolwich. The matter is under investigation.’

A bystander captured the moments after Segun slipped out from the fortified van near the Waterfront Leisure Centre at about 6.40pm. 

The man said as he filmed the police van across the road: ‘A prisoner just escaped from that van and ran away.  

‘If you see him on the road, can you please call the cops now.’ 

Detective Sergeant Claudine Manning from the Met Police said: ‘My team of dedicated officers are working around the clock to trace and apprehend Temitope Segun. It is imperative that the public contact police via 999 if they see him – or know where he may be. 

‘He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black trousers and black trainers and has links across south London.’ 

Anyone with information about his whereabouts can also make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers using reference 2270/10JUN.

One of the most notorious prisoner escapes in recent years is that of Daniel Khalife.

Khalife, a former soldier, was awaiting trial over terrorism charges when he devised his escape with a makeshift rope he used to tie himself on the underside of a food delivery truck.

After an extensive search, he was captured on a west London towpath.

During his 75 hours outside Wandsworth prison, Khalife had bought clothes from M&S, a coffee from McDonald’s in Richmond and read the latest news about himself.

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