Executive Summary
- Police are searching for Matthew Armstrong, a convicted murderer, and Daniel Washbourne, a violent offender, following their escape from HMP Leyhill.
- The inmates absconded from the UK facility on New Year’s Day between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- A third suspect involved in the escape has already been arrested in Bristol.
- Authorities have warned the public not to approach the men and to report sightings immediately.
Authorities in the United Kingdom have launched an extensive manhunt for two inmates, including one convicted of murder, following their escape from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire on New Year’s Day. Avon and Somerset Police identified the fugitives as Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne, warning the public that both men have histories of violent offending.
According to law enforcement officials, the pair is believed to have absconded from the open prison facility between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 1. Matthew Armstrong, 35, was previously convicted of a murder committed during a robbery in Warwickshire. He is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, with ginger hair and visible scars on his forehead. At the time of his disappearance, he was reportedly wearing a burgundy or orange coat, a grey cap, and grey tracksuit bottoms.
Daniel Washbourne, 40, is serving time for offenses involving violence against a person and false imprisonment. Police describe him as a white male, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a slim build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, and a blue hat. Investigators noted that neither man is originally from the Avon and Somerset area, with Armstrong holding links to Warwickshire and Washbourne to Herefordshire.
A third individual suspected of absconding alongside Armstrong and Washbourne was arrested by police in Bristol earlier on Friday. Detectives have secured CCTV footage to aid in the search and have circulated the men’s details via national police systems. Officers have conducted address checks which have so far proved negative.
Public Safety and Investigative Outlook
The escape of high-risk offenders from an open prison setting necessitates an urgent coordinated response across multiple jurisdictions to mitigate potential threats to the community. Law enforcement strategy is currently focused on intelligence-led tracking and monitoring known associates in the fugitives’ home counties. Police have issued a strict advisory for members of the public not to approach the individuals if sighted, but to contact emergency services immediately. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent regarding any new charges related to the escape until proven guilty in a court of law.
