Police In Search Of An Inmate Mistakenly Released From Prison

The police have launched an urgent manhunt after they mistakenly released an inmate from a prison in Worcestershire.

William Walter Johnson, 47, from Evesham, Worcestershire, was released "in error" from HMP Hewell in Worcestershire, by HM Prison Service. By the time they realized their error, the inmate was already at large.

Gloucestershire Constabulary says he is now wanted for being "unlawfully at large."

He is described as a white man of proportionate build with a shaven head.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Releases in error are very rare but we take them extremely seriously and are working closely with Gloucestershire police to bring the offender back into custody quickly."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We're appealing for the public's help to trace a man who is wanted on recall to prison."