Police say fugitive John Anslow may be hiding in the region

Detectives on the hunt for fugitive prisoner John Anslow – suspected of murdering a Staffordshire businessman – today revealed he may be being harboured in the West Midlands.

Officers say they are as determined as ever to track down Anslow after he was sprung from a prison van by armed men more than two months ago.

Initial reported sightings suggesting the suspect was in Spain are being investigated, while it has also been revealed he could be holed-up somewhere closer to his Tipton home.

Det Supt Wayne Jones, who is leading the inquiry, said today: "We continue to keep an open mind about whether he is in this country or abroad and are liaising with the relevant authorities. In total, we've had around 100 calls into the incident room.

"These have offered information that Anslow may be in various places in the UK, including the West Midlands, or abroad, such as Spain. Some of these calls have included possible sightings of Anslow – none of which, so far, have been confirmed."

Anslow is accused of killing Richard Deakin, from Chasetown. The father-of-two, who ran a Walsall skip hire firm, was shot dead in July 2010. Four other men from

Wolverhampton have also been charged with murder. The gang that helped spring Anslow from his prison van used a silver VW Scirocco – registration BT59 NXC – before abandoning it and switching to a Mercedes.

Anslow was on his way to Stafford Crown Court for a hearing about the murder when the gang struck. A £10,000 reward is on offer for anyone providing information leading to Anslow's arrest and return to prison. Call police on 01785 232503.