Kidnapper at large six months after absconding

A violent criminal remains at large six months after he absconded from an open prison, police have said.

Ola Abimbola, 36, absconded from HMP Ford in West Sussex on 10 October, a month after he was moved to open conditions.

He was serving a 21-year sentence for offences including kidnap, grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in public after being jailed in December 2018.

Sussex Police said it was "working alongside partners to locate him".

The force advised anyone who sees Abimbola not to approach him and to call 999 immediately.

In England and Wales, prisoners absconded from open conditions 57 times between April 2024 to March 2025, according to HM Prison and Probation Service data.

That figure has been decreasing since 2019-20, when 143 people had absconded.

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.