Police hunt convict who fled from mental health workers in Ealing

Police are searching for a mental health patient who had been convicted of assault after he absconded on a trip to a bank in west London.

Matthew Barnard, 43, slipped away from hospital staff who had taken him to Barclays in Ealing Broadway just after midday on Tuesday.

Members of the public are warned not to approach him but to alert the authorities.

Police say they are concerned that he does not have his medication with him and want to return him to a secure unit at Ealing Hospital.

A statement said: “We are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a man who has absconded while on escorted leave from a mental health facility in west London.

“Matthew Barnard absconded in Ealing Broadway on 23 April shortly after midday.

“His last location was when he was with mental health staff at the Barclays Bank, Ealing Broadway.

“He is currently being detained under Section 37 and Section 41 of the Mental Health Act following a conviction for assault.

“Officers and medical professionals are concerned at his lack of access to medication and the risk he may pose without it.”

Anyone who sees Matthew Barnard should call 999 immediately quoting ref 2984/23APR24.