Plea to criminals on jail escapee

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A direct appeal has been made to the criminal fraternity by police searching for a prisoner who was freed from a prison van at gun point.

Craig Hickinbottom was serving a five year sentence for armed robbery when he escaped while on his way to Blakenhurst Prison in Worcestershire on Wednesday.

Two masked men forced guards to free the 24-year-old before driving off.

West Mercia Police warned anyone harbouring Hickinbottom that they would also be targeted.

'No stone unturned'

Ports across the country are on alert for the prisoner - described as "very dangerous" - and detectives are urging anyone with information to get in touch.

Det Insp Steve Ecclestone said: "We are aware that some people do not like talking to police for whatever reason but we are not going to go away until Hickinbottom is back behind bars.

"If someone is helping to harbour him or has information and we find out about it we will prosecute them.

The van was returning Hickinbottom to Blakenhurst Prison

"We will leave no stone unturned."

Hickinbottom - who was returning to jail after appearing in court in Worcestershire for a driving offence - was the only occupant in the security van at the time of the incident.

Reports said the van was less than 400 yards from the jail when the two men pulled up in an Audi.

The vehicle was last seen travelling north on the M5. An Audi believed to be the car used in the escape was later recovered by police in Blue Rock, Oldbury, in the West Midlands.

Hickinbottom, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, who was released from prison on licence in June but recalled a few days later, is known to have both family and criminal connections in the Black Country.