Prison Van Escape Suspect 'Is Security Guard' - Sky News

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6:18pm UK, Wednesday January 25, 2012

A man held on suspicion of helping murder suspect John Anslow escape from a prison van is a security guard with links to the Prison Service, according to Sky sources.

Anslow, described by police as "extremely dangerous", escaped when the vehicle was ambushed by three masked men on Monday.

They smashed windows with sledgehammers and punched the driver, who was taking inmates from Hewell Prison in Redditch, Worcestershire, to Stafford Crown Court.

Anslow is now at the centre of an international manhunt and police are offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Officers have searched properties in the Tipton area of the West Midlands, where Anslow comes from, and so far one man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Late on Wednesday, police were granted more time to interview the 44-year-old man, who is being held at a Staffordshire Police station.

Meanwhile, officers executed further search warrants at two homes in the Tipton area. Property recovered from these addresses are being examined.

A £10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Anslow's capture

Detective Superintendent Martin Evans, who is overseeing the inquiry, said: "We're continuing to follow several lines of inquiry as our investigation continues.

"We're hoping that the offer of this sizeable reward will encourage friends or associates of Anslow - or anyone else who knows where he is - to come forward with information.

"All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has ordered an inquiry into how Anslow was able to escape custody.

Detectives have said the raid was well planned and executed. An abandoned silver Volkswagen Scirocco was found near the scene.

His security status was upgraded to category A last week after he was charged with the murder of businessman Richard Deakin.

However, he was not being transferred in a high-security prison service van - instead he was with other inmates in a vehicle run by a private contractor.

Anslow, also known as Skitz, is the first category A prisoner to escape from custody in more than 17 years.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with short, straight, dark brown hair. Police said he should not be approached.

:: Anyone with information should ring the dedicated incident room on 01785 235051. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.