Public urged not to approach killer on the run for second time, sparking manhunt

Members of the public are being urged not to approach a convicted killer who has escaped from prison for the second time and is on the run.

Shane Farrington, 39, absconded from prison in Warrington on Thursday evening, sparking a manhunt by police.

His escape comes just a day after a search sparked by the escape of another inmate from the prison.

Cheshire Police urged anyone with any information on Farrington's whereabouts to get in touch, but urged people not to approach him.

Farrington was convicted of manslaughter in 2009 after attacking and killing a prisoner in his cell at HMP Peterborough on September 11, 2008.

He has escaped once before after fleeing from officers while being treated for a head injury in hospital in Norfolk in 2018.

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Cheshire Police said Farrington, who is known to have links within the Peterborough area, was last seen at HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton at 6.45pm on Thursday, 24 March.

The force said officers are carrying out a number of enquiries in a bid to trace the killer, who was last seen wearing a dark top with white writing on the front, blue jeans, black shoes, a dark coat and has a dark rucksack.

Superintendent Mike Evans said: "We currently have numerous officers carrying out a variety of searches to locate Farrington.

"While our enquiries are ongoing we’re urging anyone who sees Farrington to not approach him but to instead call Cheshire Constabulary immediately on 999 quoting IML 1230000.

"Officers will be maintaining a presence around the prison and in the local area to provide reassurance to the community. If you have any concerns please do speak to one of them."

Anyone with information can contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Farrington's escape comes just a day after fellow inmate Jonathan Simpson absconded from the Category D prison on Wednesday.

Traffic was stopped as police conducted a two-hour search on the M6 at junction 20 in Lymm, Cheshire, on Wednesday evening.

Simpson was caught and arrested by police on Thursday after officers carried out a number of searches, including using police dogs.