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58m ago

Police Hunt Two Men Mistakenly Freed From Wandsworth Prison

An independent review now examines delayed alerts alongside a sharp rise in mistaken releases.

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A Serco security van enters HMP Wandsworth prison in London, UK, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. The UK's new government said it will release low-risk prisoners after they've served 40% of their sentences, compared with 50% currently, as part of a bid to address an overcrowding crisis in the country's jails. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • The Metropolitan Police are searching for Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, who was wrongly released on 29 October and reported to police on 4 November, giving him a six-day head start.
  • Kaddour-Cherif is serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal and has a prior conviction for indecent exposure; the Met released footage and appealed for public help to find him.
  • Surrey Police are also seeking William (Billy) Smith, 35, who was mistakenly released on Monday after being sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences, with reports pointing to a court clerical error.
  • Justice Secretary David Lammy says new duty-governor release checks are in place and has ordered an investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens, as he faces questions over what he knew before PMQs.
  • The cases follow the October wrongful release and recapture of Hadush Kebatu and come as official figures show 262 releases in error in the year to March 2025, with Wandsworth already in special measures for systemic failings.