Merseyside Police have issued an urgent appeal for help tracing a wanted man who fled police custody on foot while handcuffed at Whiston Hospital.
The force first appealed on Wednesday (October 28) to trace 39-year-old Anthony McCall, who was wanted on a prison recall after breaching his licensing conditions. In 2024, McCall was jailed for five years and four months after admitting a series of firearms offences following an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the face.
Arrest and Escape
In a press release issued last night (November 5) just after 5.30pm, police said McCall had been arrested and would be sent back to prison. However, it has now emerged that McCall escaped again later that evening.
Shortly before 4pm, officers saw a red Ford Focus on Mill Lane in Wallasey and attempted to stop the vehicle after the driver was seen not wearing a seatbelt. The car was driven away, and patrols followed it to the roundabout at junction six of the M62, where the three men in the car were detained after the vehicle crashed into another car.
Detentions and Investigation
A 21-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle, and a 24-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. Both were taken into custody for questioning.
A third man, McCall, of no fixed address, was detained at the scene and taken to Whiston Hospital to be assessed. While there, he escaped the custody of officers while handcuffed and fled on foot.
A police spokesperson said an internal investigation into how he escaped is underway, while extensive enquiries are ongoing to track him down.
Appeal to the Public
McCall is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with short, fair hair and blue eyes. He speaks with a Liverpool accent and has links to the St Helens and Liverpool areas.
Superintendent Geoff Stewart said: "We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see McCall's face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible.
"We are appealing for anyone who has seen or heard from him to please do the right thing and come forward. If you assist him in any way, you will bring police to your own door, so it is not an association worth keeping.
"We are carrying out extensive enquiries to find him with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made in the area so that we can return him to custody."
If you see McCall, you should call 999 immediately. You can also pass on information via 101 or DM Merseyside Police via @MerPolCC on social media with reference 26000886534. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website.
