Police in Hackney are appealing for help to trace a child kidnapper who absconded from the John Howard Centre yesterday.

Shane Hart, who is also known as Stephen, absconded whilst on escorted leave from the medium secure mental health unit, and was last seen in Brooksby Walk, Homerton, at around 3pm on Wednesday.

The 54-year old is the subject of a hospital order following his conviction in 1994 for false imprisonment and taking a child without lawful authority.

Police have warned the public not to approach Hart but to call 999 immediately if he is spotted.

He is described as white, approximately 5ft 8ins with blackish grey hair and was wearing a black jacket, mustard shirt and cream trousers.

Convicted killer, Lerone Boye was at large for over three months after escaping from the same centre in Kenworthy Road, Homerton, last October.

And another patient, Samuel Lee who was serving time for raping a disabled woman, absconded while on unsupervised leave in June.