Suffolk: Escaped Prisoner Gunman E-FIT

27 January 2012, 12:30 | Updated: 31 January 2012, 16:44

Police have issued an E-FIT picture of the man who helped a prisoner escape whilst getting treatment at West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds.

Officers received 999 calls around 6.50pm on Wednesday reporting that prison staff had been threatened by a man with a gun and that a prisoner they had been transporting to the hospital for treatment had escaped.

Police immediately began a search for Andrew Farndon, 26, who had sustained a wound to his shoulder, and the man with the gun. Farndon is described as white, 6ft 1ins, of slim build and at the time of escape he had a goatee beard. He was wearing a dark blue baseball cap, light coloured jumper that was padded on the right side due to the injury to the shoulder.

The man with the gun is described as white, in his mid 40s, around 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build, possibly with a Scottish accent and was wearing a white top and blue jeans.

Yesterday police issued CCTV images of the man with the gun approaching the scene of the incident and the two men fleeing afterwards. Also released were images of potential witnesses to the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Bennett, who is leading the investigation, said:

'We have received a number of calls from members of the public from around the country in relation to the enquiry and we have now identified the witnesses in the CCTV images previously released and been in contact with further witnesses to the incident. I would still like to take this opportunity to re-appeal to anyone with information in relation to this incident, particularly the whereabouts of Andrew Fardon, to get in touch immediately. We are keeping an open mind as to where he is - he could be anywhere in the United Kingdom. He is a potentially dangerous man and determined efforts are being made by ourselves and forces across the county to trace him and his accomplice.'

Officers are asking anyone with information about where Farndon is now to call Suffolk Police, or their nearest police station, as soon as possible - using 999 if necessary for sightings or 101 to pass on information.

Police are continuing to advise members of the public not to approach either of the men but to call officers straight away.

DCI Nick Bennett From Suffolk Police