MAN WHO HAS ABSCONDED FROM WEST SUSSEX PRISON COULD BE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Police are on the hunt for 44-year-old Anthony Martin who absconded from HMP Ford on Tuesday, with fears he may be heading for the Isle of Wight. Officers are understood to have taken up position outside an address in Shanklin earlier this week amid concern that he may attempt to visit the property having absconded from the West Sussex open prison at around 13:30 on Tuesday afternoon (21st November). Islanders are being warned not to approach him. Martin was sentenced to 6 years in prison in February 2022 for a series of thefts, including stealing £3,000 from Shanklin Beach Hotel and gold chains from an Isle of Wight jeweller. He is described as 6ft 2 inches tall, of stocky build with brown hair. He was last seen wearing a grey Adidas zip-up jumper, trousers and grey Adidas trainers. Anyone who sees him is asked not to approach him and to dial 999 immediately, quoting crime reference Sussex 47230228923.