A 54-year-old man with links to Buckinghamshire has absconded a prison in the West Country.

Gary Hopes, who was based at HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, escaped jail on Wednesday, October 11.

It is believed he may have boarded a bus from outside the prison.

We're appealing for help to find an absconder from HMP Leyhill. If you see Gary Hopes please call 999 quoting reference 5223248450.

Posted by Avon and Somerset Police on Wednesday, 11 October 2023

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Hopes is around 5ft 8in tall and was last seen wearing black tracksuit trousers, white trainers with red-orange toe caps and a high-vis jacket.

In a brief statement, Avon & Somerset Police said: “Anyone who knows where he is urged to call 999 with reference number 5223248450.”