Metropolitan Police Hunt 38-Year-Old Man Who Escaped Lewisham Health Unit
Anthony Lloyd, convicted in 2025 for harming emergency workers, forced his way out of a facility Friday afternoon and was last seen near Catford.
By Tunde Bailey ·
A major police search began in London on Friday afternoon after a prisoner forced his way out of a medical facility in the south-east of the city.
Anthony Lloyd, 38, exited the health unit in Lewisham shortly after 4pm. The Metropolitan police described the incident as a forced escape and immediately launched a manhunt for the man. Police stated that Lloyd poses a risk to both himself and the public. They instructed citizens to call 999 if they spot him and to avoid approaching him directly. The force issued a public statement on Saturday confirming the details of the escape. Officers noted that Lloyd was last seen at about 4.10pm on Friday. Surveillance indicated he was heading in the direction of Catford at the time.
Lloyd received a 12-month custodial sentence in 2025. A court convicted him of actual bodily harm stemming from an incident in Nottinghamshire. The crime involved three emergency services workers. Following his sentencing, he served time in a prison before authorities transferred him to the Lewisham medical facility in September. The transfer occurred several months before the recent escape. He is 5ft 8in tall with a medium build and short dark hair. Witnesses described him as wearing a grey-blue T-shirt, black tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers during his last sighting.
Det supt Melanie Pressley leads the operational team tasked with recovering the missing prisoner. She stated that officers are conducting various significant inquiries to locate Lloyd and return him to custody. Pressley emphasized the concern over Lloyd's safety and the safety of those around him. She urged the public to call 999 immediately if they see the man. She warned residents not to try and approach him. The detective also appealed for any details from members of the public. She asked anyone with information, regardless of how minor it may seem, to contact police urgently. The request for information remains active as the search continues.
Police believe Lloyd could be anywhere in the capital. Officers also identified specific links he maintains in other regions. These areas include Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Merseyside. Investigators are prioritizing these locations due to his known connections there. The search operation spans multiple jurisdictions within the London metropolitan area. Resources are allocated to cover both central London and the identified peripheral areas. The force continues to analyze any leads that emerge from the public and surveillance data.
The reference number for the incident is CAD4739/23Oct. Anyone with information should quote this code when calling 999. The police maintain that Lloyd remains the primary focus of the investigation. No other suspects are currently being sought in connection with the escape. The medical facility where Lloyd was held has been secured following the event. Staff members are cooperating with investigators. The facility will remain closed to the public while police complete their on-site review. The Metropolitan police will provide further updates as new information becomes available.
The manhunt represents a high-priority task for the Metropolitan police. Officers are working around the clock to locate Lloyd. The public has been advised to remain vigilant. Reports of sightings are being logged and checked in real-time. The force is coordinating with neighboring police forces to cover the wider area. The escape has disrupted routine patrols in the affected zones. Additional units have been deployed to key locations. The search is ongoing with no end date set. Police are urging residents to use the provided reference number when reporting information.
