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Arrest as hunt continues for escaped prisoner

Buy photos » Det Supt Martin Evans, of Staffordshire Police, and Supt Adrian Pass of West Mercia Police address the media as they appeal for information to help trace escaped prisoner John Anslow. (s)

A MAN has been arrested in connection with an ambush of a prison van which allowed a suspected murderer to escape.

Armed officers from West Midlands Police carried out search warrants at five properties in the Tipton area yesterday (Monday) where John Anslow is from. A 44-year-old man was arrested and is currently in police custody.

Airports and trains stations across the UK remain on high alert as the manhunt continues for the 31-year-old who was being transported to Stafford Crown Court on Monday (January 23) when about 8.20am a masked gang ambushed the GEO Amey prison escort van he was in in Hewell Lane, Tradebigge close to HMP Hewell.

They got out of a Volkswagen Scirroco and smashed the windscreen and driver's window of the van before punching the driver in the face. He and other escort staff sustained no serious injuries, although they were taken to hospital before being discharged.

The Scirroco drove off at speed before the group switched to a silver Mercedes with the partial registration KR11 in Stoney Lane in Bromsgrove. The Scirroco car has now been recovered by police and is undergoing forensic tests.

Anslow, 31 and from the Bilston area, is one of five men charged with the murder of Richard Deakin who was shot dead in Chasetown, Staffordshire last year. He is also known by his nickname - Skits- and has strong connections across the country, including the London area, as well as abroad.

Staffordshire Police are leading the investigation and are working closely with officers from West Mercia and West Midlands forces as well as alerting those across the UK and authorities in other countries.

Det Supt Martin Evans, from Staffordshire Police, said they did not know if Anslow had already left the country but airports, train stations, ports and the UK Border Agency were on high alert.

He described him as an extremely dangerous man and said if he was spotted by the public they were not to approach him.

"His escape was well planned and, unfortunately for us, well executed as he is now at large," he said.

"We are exploring all potential avenues and there is a possibility he is planning to leave the country or may even have already left the country but we don't know and those are enquiries we are carrying out at the moment but we are very live to the fact he does have connections in other countries.

"There's nothing to suggest any particular member of the public is at risk from Mr Anslow but clearly he is an extremely dangerous individual and therefore we are urging don't approach him. Just tell us where he is and we will do the rest."

Anslow is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall of medium build, with short straight brown hair. He was wearing blue prison clothing when he escaped.

A number of calls have already been received by police and anyone who spots Anslow or has any information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police on 999 or 101 if it is not an emergency.

A dedicated incident room has also been set-up by Stafffordshire Police and can be contacted on 01785 235051. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.