Lewisham escapee: London police launch search for Anthony Lloyd

Anthony Lloyd forced his way out of a health unit in Lewisham shortly after 4:00 pm on Friday. The Metropolitan Police have launched a citywide manhunt for the 38-year-old prisoner, warning the public that he poses a risk to both himself and others.

Police stated that Lloyd was last seen at approximately 4:10 pm on Friday. Officers reported that he was heading in the direction of Catford when he left the facility. A statement issued on Saturday confirmed the timeline and the initial direction of travel.

Lloyd is described as a white male with a medium build, standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall. He has short dark hair. When he was last spotted, he was wearing a grey-blue T-shirt, black tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers. Police have instructed residents not to approach him if they see him. Instead, they should call 999 immediately.

Lloyd was convicted in 2025 of actual bodily harm. The offense stemmed from an incident in Nottinghamshire that involved three emergency services workers. He received a 12-month custodial sentence and was sent to prison. In September, he was transferred to the medical facility in Lewisham where he escaped.

Detective Superintendent Melanie Pressley leads the search operation. She said officers are conducting various inquiries to locate Lloyd and return him to custody. Pressley urged anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact police as a matter of urgency. She emphasized the need for speed in gathering details to narrow the search area.

While the search is focused on London, police believe Lloyd may have links to several other regions. These include Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Merseyside. Officers are not ruling out the possibility that he has traveled to one of these areas.

The Metropolitan Police are asking the public to call 999 if they spot Lloyd. Callers should quote the reference CAD4739/23Oct. The force is treating the case as an urgent matter and is deploying resources across the capital to find the missing prisoner.