Police Launch Urgent Hunt After Prisoner Mistakenly Freed in London
A serious mix-up at a London prison has sparked a major police manhunt after a 24-year-old Algerian man was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth last week. The error came to light when the Metropolitan Police were informed by the prison at 1:00 PM on Tuesday that the prisoner had been released in error six days earlier, on Wednesday, 29 October. Officers are now carrying out urgent inquiries to locate him and return him to custody, with authorities describing the situation as a priority.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed his outrage at the incident, calling it “absolutely appalling” and insisting that the error highlights deeper flaws in the justice system. In a statement, he confirmed that his officials had been working through the night to rectify the situation and stressed that victims and the public deserved better safeguards. Lammy also announced that an independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens would be launched to uncover how the release occurred and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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The news came during Prime Minister’s Questions, when shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge repeatedly pressed Lammy about whether any asylum seekers had been released in error since the high-profile case of Hadush Kebatu last month. Lammy declined to confirm specifics during the session, citing the complexity of the case and the involvement of multiple agencies. Sources later indicated that he had been informed overnight about the release, but the information was too sensitive and evolving to discuss publicly at the time.
While the man’s immigration status has not been fully confirmed, the BBC reports that he is not believed to be an asylum seeker. The release has intensified scrutiny on HMP Wandsworth, which has faced ongoing security concerns. Staff at the prison described the atmosphere following the incident as chaotic, with some officers admitting they were unable to account for all prisoners during the working day. Last year, the prison was still dealing with the fallout from a previous high-profile escape, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing systems.
The government’s response has emphasized that mistaken releases, while infrequent, are a serious problem. Figures show that in the year leading up to March 2025, 262 prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly released—an increase of 128% compared to the previous year. The rise has been attributed to operational and legislative changes, highlighting systemic weaknesses that need urgent attention.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office has described the incident as “unacceptable,” promising a thorough forensic review of the circumstances. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are continuing their urgent efforts to locate the man and ensure he is safely returned to custody. The public is being urged to allow the authorities the space to manage the situation while the investigation unfolds.
This latest accidental release has not only reignited debate over prison safety and management but also raised pressing questions about how errors in the justice system can be prevented in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of administrative mistakes can be serious, and reforms are urgently needed to restore public confidence.
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