Anger at police over escapee
An escaped criminal was still on the run today, three days after fleeing from police custody in Shropshire - and people are angry they were not told of the escape sooner. The row blew up in Whitchurch after it emerged police failed to tell residents the inmate was at large for 48 hours.
Michael John Hall, 17, fled from a police car as it drove through the town on Tuesday as he was being returned to Stoke Heath Young Offenders' Institute from Liverpool.
Hall was serving an 18-month sentence for burglary and vehicle offences at the custody centre near Market Drayton, but was in the custody of Merseyside Police on other matters when he fled.
Today, an angry Whitchurch resident said people in the town had been left wondering what was happening after the police helicopter was scrambled twice above their homes.
Martin Spiby said: "Local residents should have been made aware of the circumstances. I think it is in the public interest. Most people at work have been talking about it, but no-one knew what had happened."
Merseyside Police today said: "There was a delay in releasing the information as we needed to speak to our legal team to find out if we could release a picture of the youth."
The spokesman also cited personal problems in the communications department as having delayed the publication of the information.
Inspector Neil Spencer, of West Mercia Police, said: "The protocol was for Merseyside Police to release the information. . . If we had thought there was a danger to the public then we would have released the information ourselves."
Anybody with information on Hall's whereabouts is asked to call Shropshire police on 08457 444 888.
Popular stories:
Teen escapes from police car
Let your inner-self sing out
RAF Cosford campaigners target MPs
Daily news blog
Big night for Bucks reserves
