Prisoner Escape Latest - £10,000 Reward Issued

John AnslowA £10,000 reward is being offered for information which helps capture escaped prisoner John Anslow.

Staffordshire Police, who are leading the investigation, are offering the money as the manhunt for the 31-year-old suspected murderer, who escaped after the prison van he was being carried in was ambushed in Hewell Lane in Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove, on Monday morning.

Detective Superintendent Martin Evans, from Staffordshire Police, said: "Our investigation into finding escaped prisoner John Anslow is continuing to move quickly as we follow several lines of inquiry.

"Staffordshire Police are offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to Anslow's arrest and return to prison.

We're hoping that this sizeable reward will encourage those who know where Anslow might be to come forward.

All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"Last night, search warrants were executed at five homes in the West Midlands area. We've recovered some property following these searches and this now being further examined.

The Volkswagen Scirocco used by the offenders"We also arrested a 44-year-old man from the Tipton area last night on suspicion of assisting an offender. He remains in police custody today and is being interviewed.

"Our appeal to trace Anslow is spreading far and wide across social media. So far, we've reached over half a million people on Facebook and we've asked all other UK forces to run the appeal on their own social media sites.

"Following yesterday's appeal, we're looking into several calls which came into to our incident room about possible sightings of the silver Mercedes car used by Anslow and his associates.

"We're also very keen to speak to anyone who might have seen the silver Volkswagen Scirocco in the wider Bromsgrove or North Worcestershire area prior to the incident at 8.20am yesterday. The Scirocco was abandoned a short distance from the scene before the offenders switched to the Mercedes.

A photo of the Scirocco, registration number BT59 NXC, is being made available today. The Volkswagen Scirocco, registration BT59 NXC

"We'd continue to remind people that Anslow has been charged with murder and is considered very dangerous.

Anyone who sees him should not approach him but should ring 999 immediately.

"We're directly appealing to friends or associates of Anslow who know where he might be to ring the incident room on 01785 235051.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

"A dedicated team of Staffordshire detectives is working closely with colleagues from West Mercia and West Midlands police forces.

"We are also continuing to liaise with other UK forces, the UK Border Agency and authorities in other countries."

Issued: Tuesday 24 January 2012