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Escaped prisoner could be hiding in Guildford

By Melanie Hall

August 30, 2011

A PRISONER who absconded from an open jail in South Yorkshire last month may have fled to Guildford, police searching for him have said.

On July 18, Daniel O'Loughlin, 35, failed to return to HMP Hatfield after he was given temporary release for a work placement within the community, and now officers believe he could be in the Stoughton area of the town.

O'Loughlin was behind bars for his role in an organised crime group which committed a series of high-profile and high-value burglaries at large country houses across central and western England.

In August 2008, he was imprisoned for his part in the conspiracy and in May 2010 a court ordered him to pay back £113,000, which was deemed to have been gained from his criminal activity.

The police investigation, called Operation Haul, was a multi-force project involving Thames Valley Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary, West Mercia Police, Warwickshire Police and Wiltshire Police.

West Mercia Police is one of three forces now searching for O'Loughlin.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Murphy said: "O'Loughlin has been missing for more than a month and we need to find him and return him to prison.

"He has strong links to Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Berkshire, but we have information that suggests he is visiting contacts he has in Guildford.

"While it is thought he does not pose a direct threat, we would advise that he should not be approached by members of the public.