A 32-year-old man has absconded from Leyhill Open Prison.

Dean Hammond was last seen at 5pm on Tuesday, September 18 at HMP Leyhill.

He has been serving an indeterminate sentence since 2006 when he was convicted for making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon.

Hammond is described as a six-foot white man with a stocky build and dark shaved hair.

He has numerous tattoos on his arms and chest.

Detective Constable Nadine Partridge , of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Since Dean Hammond was reported missing we have been conducting enquiries to locate him and return him to custody.

"He has connections to the Southampton area and it is possible he may return there. I would appeal to anyone who has seen him to contact us immediately."

She added: "We are committed to locating, returning to custody and charging anyone unlawfully at large. We work closely with HMP Leyhill and other police forces to track down absconders promptly and keep any potential risk to the public to a minimum.

"Prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk-assessed and categorised as being low risk to the public, however if people believe they have seen an absconded prisoner they should not approach him but should call police immediately."

According to HM Prison Service more than 96 per cent of prisoners who abscond are recaptured and returned to custody.

"On recapture the prisoner is returned to a closed prison," a Prison Service spokesman said. "Leyhill has a special function in preparing life sentence prisoners for release before their return to the community.

"The prison works in partnership with learning and skills providers on education programmes designed to reduce re-offending on release, including work and training placements within the community."

Hammond should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police on 999.