Police following up escaped murderer Alan Giles sightings
Detectives hunting for on-the-run murderer Alan Giles are following up possible sightings of him.
It is now the fifth day police are searching for the 56-year-old was serving two life sentences at HMP Hewell, near Redditch, for the kidnap and murder of 16 year-old Quinton student Kevin Ricketts in 1995, when he escaped on Monday Morning.
Police said today they were pleased with the public's response and officers were visiting caravan sites and making further house to house inquiries to locate him.
Specialist search teams, including dogs, are being used in the man hunt for Giles, who has family in Oldbury.
At least one of the sightings of Giles was in Inkberrow in Worcestershire last night and officers went to the area. They are there again today.
Det Ch Insp Paul Judge said: "We would like to thank the public for their help so far with our investigation. We have had several sightings of Giles in the South Warwickshire area reported to us and we are following up that information.
"It is vital that if anyone spots Giles they do not approach him but call us on 999 or 101 as soon as possible."
Detectives have been concentrating their efforts on the Redditch and South Warwickshire areas, and are appealing to dog walkers, farmers and other local people to look out for Giles, who is thought to be sleeping rough, possibly in woodland.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Judge said: "We are urging the public to help us by staying alert and calling us if they think they have seen Alan Giles. He could be sleeping rough and may be using barns or other outbuildings to shelter."
He said Giles should not be approached and is described as a white man, 5ft 9 inches tall, with short grey hair and blue eyes. He has a scar on the right of his forehead and a tattoo of an eagle on his back. He also has tattoos of a swallow, shark and flower on his left arm.
He is believed to be wearing a grey Rockport sweater, blue jeans and white Asics trainers. He may be on foot and could also be using public transport.
Police have safeguarding measures in place for the victim's family and police Family Liaison Officers are speaking to them, as well as Giles' friends and family."
