Police have issued an urgent public warning not to approach a prisoner who fled from an open jail in Buckinghamshire on Christmas Day. The manhunt is ongoing for 27-year-old Mahad Elmi, who is now unlawfully at large.
Details of the Christmas Day Absconsion
Mahad Elmi absconded from HMP Springhill overnight on Thursday, 25 December, into Boxing Day. Thames Valley Police confirmed the incident and launched a search for the inmate. The prison is a Category D facility located near the village of Grendon Underwood, housing more than 300 inmates.
Category D prisons, often referred to as open prisons, have minimal security. The Prison Service states that this classification allows eligible prisoners to spend most of their day outside the prison on licence for purposes such as work, education, or other resettlement activities.
Public Appeal and Description
Detective Sergeant Matthew French, of Buckinghamshire’s Priority Crime Team, is leading the appeal for information. "We are appealing for the help of the public to trace Mahad Elmi, who is unlawfully at large after leaving and not returning to HMP Springhill," he said.
Elmi is described as a black man, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build. He has medium-length black hair, a beard, and brown eyes. The force has emphasised that he has known links to the south-west London area.
How the Public Can Help
Authorities have issued a clear directive: if anyone sees Mahad Elmi, they must not approach him. Instead, they should immediately call 999.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number 101 or to make a report online. It is crucial to quote the reference number 43250653119 when providing information.
The escape from a low-security facility on a major holiday raises questions about monitoring procedures, as the search continues to locate the absconded prisoner.
