An armed robber from Teesside is on the run from prison.
Police are appealing to the public to be their eyes and ears - but not to tackle 31-year-old Darren Joseph Bedford.
He was serving a seven-year jail sentence for false imprisonment and robbery, when he escaped from Wealstun Prison, Wetherby, West Yorkshire - eight weeks ago.
Bedford, who is from Middlesbrough, was doing time after he lured a female loan collector to an address then, while wearing a balaclava mask, threatened her with a knife, bound and gagged her before stealing cash and mobile phones.
He was jailed at Teesside Crown Court in 2001. His earliest release date would have been December 20.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Malcolm said: "Regular searches have so far drawn a blank but we are confident that if he is in the Cleveland area someone will know where he is and get in touch with us.
"We would not expect members of the public to tackle him. All we want is for them to be our extra eyes and ears and let us know when they see him."
Bedford has links with the North Ormesby, Berwick Hills and Thorntree areas of Middlesbrough.
People should contact 01642 326326 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
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