Police are appealing for assistance in tracing Melvin Clayton, who they say “may pose a threat to the public”.

Melvin, of Hackney, who is also known as Mel or Melanie, was last seen at Lewisham Hospital at 8.30am yesterday.

She attended the hospital voluntarily on Saturday and was not detained there.

Ms Clayton, 35, is 6ft 3ins tall and was wearing a black headscarf, a black jacket and a dark blue skirt when she was last seen.

Police have asked anyone who sees Ms Clayton to call 101 quoting reference CAD 2306/oct07