A nationwide manhunt is underway for a convicted criminal who absconded from a Category D prison in Cheshire. Kieran Cameron, 43, who is serving a 23-year sentence for a 2016 attempted murder in Dorset, is now unlawfully at large.
Details of the Prison Escape
Cameron was reported missing from HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington at 9.20pm on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The Category D open prison is an adult male facility. Cheshire Police have launched a public appeal to locate him, stressing that he should not be approached under any circumstances.
The force released a detailed description of the fugitive. Cameron is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a medium build. He has heavily receding hair and sports a ginger and grey beard. Police intelligence suggests he has extensive links to the Manchester, Liverpool, and Dorset areas.
Police Appeal and Public Warning
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at Cheshire Police, issued a direct statement to the public. "We are appealing for the help of the public to trace Kieran Cameron, who is unlawfully at large after leaving HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington," he said.
The warning was unequivocal: "If you see him, do not approach him, call 999 immediately." For anyone with non-urgent information about Cameron's potential whereabouts, police have asked them to call 101 or visit the Cheshire Police website, quoting reference number IML 2247029.
Background of the Convict
Kieran Cameron's lengthy prison sentence stems from a serious violent crime committed eight years ago. He was convicted for an attempted murder that took place in Dorset in 2016. The nature of his conviction and his current status as a fugitive makes his recapture a high priority for authorities across the North West and beyond.
The escape from an open prison raises immediate questions about security protocols and risk assessments for inmates. Category D prisons are designed for prisoners who can be reasonably trusted not to attempt escape and are often nearing the end of their sentences. An investigation into the circumstances of Cameron's absconding is likely to follow.
