Police Launch Manhunt After Two Prisoners Mistakenly Released From Hmp Wandsworth

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HMP Wandsworth, wherever 2 inmates were mistakenly released, are prompting urgent constabulary appeals. Credit: Nicole Piepgras / Shutterstock

Police successful London and Surrey person launched urgent manhunts aft 2 prisoners were mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, 1 of nan country’s astir high-profile jails.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 24-year-old Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a registered activity offender, was wrongly freed from nan southbound London situation connected Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Officers were notified of nan correction almost a week later, connected Tuesday, November 4, and instantly began a afloat investigation and hunt operation.

Met Police entreaty for nationalist help

Kaddour-Cherif, who is of Algerian nationality, has links to Westminster and Tower Hamlets. He is described arsenic being of mean build, pinch short acheronian hairsbreadth and a trimmed beard. Police person urged nan nationalist not to attack him but to telephone 999 immediately, quoting CAD 4697/04NOV25.

Commander Paul Trevers said, “As soon arsenic we were informed of nan mistake, officers moved quickly to statesman a afloat investigation and hunt operation. Our privilege now is to find Kaddour-Cherif safely and return him to custody.”

Officers proceed to transportation retired searches crossed London and nan surrounding counties, moving intimately pinch situation authorities to find really nan correction occurred.

Second manhunt successful Surrey

Meanwhile, Surrey Police are searching for William ‘Billy’ Smith, aged 35, who was besides mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth astir nan aforesaid period.

Smith is wanted connected callback to situation and is believed to person connections to nan Reigate and Horley areas. He is described arsenic white, astir 5 feet and 9 inches tall, of mean build, pinch brownish hairsbreadth and bluish eyes. Despite extended enquiries, officers person truthful acold been incapable to trace him.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said, “We are appealing for thief to find Billy Smith, who is wanted connected callback to situation aft being mistakenly released. Officers are pursuing respective lines of enquiry, but nationalist assistance remains vital.”

Anyone who sees Smith is besides asked not to attack him, but to telephone 999 immediately, quoting PR/45250121319.

Questions complete situation procedures

The Ministry of Justice has yet to merchandise specifications astir really nan 2 men were freed successful error. However, some constabulary forces person confirmed they are moving successful adjacent coordination pinch nan situation work to forestall further incidents and guarantee tighter administrative oversight.

HMP Wandsworth, 1 of nan UK’s largest class B prisons, has faced scrutiny earlier pursuing different high-profile information and guidance issues. It presently houses much than 1,500 inmates.

Public urged to stay vigilant

Both men stay astatine large, and police are urging nan nationalist to stay alert. Anyone pinch contiguous accusation is asked to telephone 999, while accusation tin besides beryllium passed anonymously via Crimestoppers connected 0800 555 111.

Authorities person described nan business arsenic “serious but contained”, stressing that nan hunt efforts are ongoing crossed aggregate jurisdictions.

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