Manhunt for foreign prisoner after mistaken release from HMP Wandsworth

Another foreign prisoner is on the run after being mistakenly released, Sky News has learnt.

The error at HMP Wandsworth in south London happened on 29 October – just five days after the high-profile release of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford.

It was also two days after Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy announced enhanced checks on prisoner releases.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to Sky News: “Shortly after 1pm on Tuesday 4 November, the Met was informed by the Prison Service that a prisoner had been released in error from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday 29 October.

“The prisoner is a 24-year-old Algerian man.

“Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries in an effort to locate him and return him to custody.”

Sky News understands the Algerian prisoner was serving time for trespass with an intent to steal but has previously committed sexual offences.

It is not yet clear why it was nearly a week between the latest release at Wandsworth and the police being informed that an offender was at large.

The numbers of these types of errors has risen recently, with 262 instances between March 2024 and March 2025.

In the aftermath of the Kebatu manhunt, Mr Lammy promised “the strongest release checks that have ever been in place”.

He also ordered an independent investigation into the Kebatu release, which is being led by former Deputy Commissioner of the Met Police Dame Lynne Owens.

The Conservatives described the Kebatu episode as a “national embarrassment”.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment about the latest incident at HMP Wandsworth.