CHRISTMAS ESCAPE: ARMED & DANGEROUS—HUNT IS ON!

CHRISTMAS ESCAPE: ARMED & DANGEROUS—HUNT IS ON!

The quiet of the holiday season was shattered when Mahad Elmi, 27, vanished from HMP Springhill sometime between Christmas Day and Boxing Day. His escape unfolded under the cover of darkness, leaving authorities urgently seeking the public’s help to locate him.

Detectives are appealing for information, emphasizing the importance of not approaching Elmi if spotted. Instead, immediate contact with 999 is crucial, allowing trained professionals to handle the situation safely and effectively.

The search comes just weeks after another dramatic attempt to evade custody. Dylan Harrison, 33, made a desperate bid for freedom, leaping over a wall during an arrest – a reckless act that resulted in a broken back.

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLEUndated handout photo issued by Thames Valley Police of Mahad Elmi, 27, left the open jail in Buckinghamshire and is now unlawfully at large, Thames Valley Police said. The force said he absconded from HMP Springhill, near the village of Grendon Underwood, overnight from on Thursday into Boxing Day. Issue date: Saturday December 27, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Harrison’s desperate cry, “I’m not going back to jail,” echoed as he fled a police van in South Wales. He had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, facing serious accusations that fueled his attempt to escape.

Both cases highlight the lengths individuals will go to avoid incarceration, and the inherent risks involved in such desperate measures. The pursuit of Elmi and the aftermath of Harrison’s failed escape serve as stark reminders of the challenges faced by law enforcement.

Anyone with information regarding Elmi’s whereabouts is urged to contact the police via 101, or submit a report online, referencing the case number 43250653119. Every detail, no matter how small it may seem, could prove vital in bringing him into custody.

HMP Springhill