Police have confirmed that police activity in Richmond Park is linked to the search for escaped prisoner, Daniel Abed Khalife.

Last night, two helicopters circled the park and locals have reported a police presence in the area.

The park is 2.8 miles away from Wandsworth Prison, where Khalife escaped from on Wednesday morning (6 September).

Khalife was declared missing at 7:50am on 6 September.

The Met was notified at 08:15hrs and took immediate action to track down a delivery van that had left the prison.

At 8:37am, police officers stopped the van in Upper Richmond Road, near the junction with Carlton Drive.

Officers spoke to the driver and carried out a thorough search.

Police discovered strapping on the underside of the van.

Officers have traced the route of the van after it left Wandsworth Prison and are appealing to anyone who might have seen the van on this route to get in touch.

The van left HMP Wandsworth at 07:32 taking a right turn out of gates onto Heathfield Road. It then turned left onto Magdalen Road.

The van then turned left onto Trinity Road (A214) up to the Wandsworth Roundabout. It took the first exit onto Swandon Way (A217).

It then turned left onto Old York Road (past Wandsworth Town station) then left onto Fairfield Street, right onto Wandsworth High Street (A3) staying straight ahead onto West Hill and then on to Upper Richmond Road (A205).

The Met has continued to focus its efforts in the London area, particularly around this route, as well as the Kingston area, where Khalife is known to have connections.

Khalife's previous military experience may mean he may be more aware of efforts to apprehend him.

While he is not assessed to pose a threat to the wider public we advise anyone who seems him not to approach him and instead call 999 immediately.