Manhunt for Convicted Assault Case After Lewisham Escape

The Metropolitan police have launched a citywide search for Anthony Lloyd, a prisoner who escaped from a medical facility in Lewisham on Friday. Law enforcement agencies are treating the incident as a high-priority operation because Lloyd poses a risk to himself and the general public. The force is urging residents to contact emergency services immediately if they locate him, while cautioning them not to make physical contact.

Lloyd forced his way out of the health unit shortly after 4 pm on Friday. Officers last saw him at 4.10 pm heading toward the Catford district. He is 38 years old, white, and stands at approximately 5 ft 8 in with a medium build. At the time of the escape, he was wearing a grey-blue T-shirt, black tracksuit bottoms, and white trainers.

Lloyd was convicted in 2025 of actual bodily harm in Nottinghamshire. The charge involved an incident that affected three emergency services workers. A court handed him a 12-month custodial sentence. He served the initial portion of that term in prison before authorities transferred him to the Lewisham medical facility in September.

Detective Superintendent Melanie Pressley is leading the investigation. She stated that officers are conducting various inquiries to locate Lloyd and return him to custody. Pressley emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the specific danger Lloyd presents. She asked members of the public with any information, however minor, to contact police without delay.

Police believe Lloyd could be located anywhere in the capital. The force also noted that he has connections to seven other regions. These areas include Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Merseyside. Officers are using these links to guide their search efforts across the wider South East.

The Metropolitan police have assigned a specific reference number to the case to assist in coordinating calls. Members of the public should quote CAD4739/23Oct when contacting 999. The search remains active as of Saturday, with no confirmed sighting of Lloyd since Friday evening.

The facility from which Lloyd escaped is a specialized medical unit in South East London. The escape occurred during regular working hours. Police have not disclosed whether other inmates or staff were affected by the incident. The force continues to deploy officers to high-traffic areas in Catford and nearby districts.