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16m ago

Police Hunt Two Prisoners Wrongly Freed From Wandsworth Prison

The case has intensified scrutiny of prison release failures, prompting an independent review.

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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 Met named registered sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, as the inmate released in error on 29 October, saying they were only told on 4 November, giving him a six-day head start.
  • Kaddour-Cherif was serving time for trespass with intent to steal and has an indecent exposure conviction, with police appealing for information and noting links to Westminster and Tower Hamlets.
  • Surrey Police are also searching for Billy “William” Smith, 35, who was mistakenly freed on Monday after being sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences, with the BBC reporting a court clerical error.
  • Justice Secretary David Lammy ordered an independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens and pledged tougher release checks, as he faced questions over not disclosing details during PMQs.
  • HMP Wandsworth is in special measures after inspectorate criticism, and official data show 262 releases in error in the year to March 2025, underscoring wider operational failures in the prison system.