A PRISONER with links to Cumbria has absconded from HMP Kirkham.

Paul Bogin, 48, of Carnforth, went missing from the prison yesterday at around 8pm, while serving a sentence of 876 days for burglary at a dwelling, stealing from shops and stalls and failing to appear at court.

He is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with grey hair and various tattoos including the letters 'BFC' on his right hand, a spider web on his right elbow, a swallow on his left hand and a panther.

He has links to Manchester and Cumbria.

DS Angela Grey, of the local intelligence unit at Lancashire Police, said: "Enquiries are ongoing to trace Bogin and we would urge anybody with information about his whereabouts to make contact with us as soon as possible.

"He has committed a number of offences in the past and has a history of violence so we would urge the public not to approach him if they see him, but to contact us to let us know his whereabouts."

HMP Kirkham is an open men's prison and classed as 'category D'.

Anybody with information is asked to email westintelunit@lancashire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively police can be contacted on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.