‘Do not approach’ Urgent hunt for man who escaped secure mental health unit

Police have launched an urgent search for a man who absconded from a secure mental health facility.

Officers from the Met Police have spent the last five to six days trying to trace Terrance Mays, 41, after he was able to leave the unnamed unit in Southall, west London, on September 22.

After being unable to find him, the force last night issued two images and warned anyone who sees him to report it but not to approach him.

He was being detained there under the Mental Health Act but no details on why have been released.

A Met spokesperson said: “We are appealing for the public’s help to find Terrence Mayes, 41, who absconded from a secure mental health facility in Southall on 22 September. He had been detained at the facility under the Mental Health Act.

“Despite an extensive investigation, officers have been unable to locate Terrence Mayes and are now appealing for the public’s help.

“He has links to Wembley, and it is thought likely that he will be in the west London or north-west London areas.

“Have you seen him, do you know where he is, or do you have information that might help officers locate him? Do not approach if seen, but call 999 and quote reference 5425/22Sep.”

There have been a number of patients who absconded from mental health facilities in London in the past few months, as reported by Express.co.uk, including when three men escaped from a medium secure ward at Springfield Hospital in Tooting, south London, in July, who were later found.

Another man absconded from another facility within 48 hours of this.

And last month we revealed how the same patient, who is a danger to women, has gone missing from the same care home at least four times.