Urgent search as man awaiting trial on terror offences escapes from Wandsworth prison

21-year-old Daniel Abed Khalife who has escaped from HMP Wandsworth (Image: Met Police)

A man who is awaiting trial for terrorism and Official Secrets Act offences has escaped from Wandsworth prison.

Police have launched an urgent appeal to track down 21-year-old Daniel Abed Khalife who has escaped from HMP Wandsworth.

Officers have said that they “have no information which indicates, nor any reason to believe that Khalife poses a threat to the wider public” but have warned people not to approach him and to call 999 immediately if they see him.

Khalife was reported missing on Wednesday morning and it is believed that he escaped from the prison around 7.50am.

He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers, and brown steel toe cap boots.

Khalife is described as being of slim build, with short brown hair, and standing at around 6ft 2ins tall.

He has links to the Kingston area, but it is believed that he may still be in the London area or potentially even further afield.

The police are urging anyone with information to come forward, regardless of whether it relates to a live sighting.

If you see Khalife or have any further information on his whereabouts, call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 1631/06SEP23.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We have a team of officers who are making extensive and urgent enquiries in order to locate and detain Khalife as quickly as possible.

“However, the public can help us as well and should anyone see Khalife, or have any information as to where he might be, then please call 999 or the immediately.

“I also want to reassure the public that we have no information which indicates, nor any reason to believe that Khalife poses a threat to the wider public, but our advice if you do see him is not to approach him and call 999 straight away.”

Khalife is accused of eliciting or trying to elicit information that could be useful for a terrorist on August 2 2021, and breaching the Official Secrets Act by gathering information that could be useful to an enemy between May 1 2019 and January 6 2022.

Story continues

The serviceman, formerly of Beacon Barracks, Beaconside, Stafford, is also accused of a criminal offence relating to the alleged bomb hoax.

It is claimed that he placed “three cannisters with wires on a desk in his accommodation” with the intention of inducing in another a belief this was “likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property”.

A trial date has been set for November 13 at Woolwich Crown Court.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police are issuing an urgent appeal to the public to help trace a 21-year-old man who has escaped from prison.

“Daniel Abed Khalife (27.09.01) was reported to police after escaping from HMP Wandsworth this morning, Wednesday 6 September.

“Khalife was on remand at HMP Wandsworth, awaiting trial in relation to terrorism and Official Secrets Act offences.

“From our initial enquiries, it is believed he escaped from the prison at approximately 07:50hrs.

“Khalife was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots.

“He is of slim build, has short brown hair and is around 6ft 2ins tall.

“Khalife has links to the Kingston area. It is believed he most likely remains in the London area at this time, although he may have travelled further afield.

“If seen, the public are advised not to approach Khalife and to call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 1631/06SEP23.

“Officers are keen to hear from anyone with information that might assist with locating Khalife – even if it doesn’t relate to a live sighting.”