Urgent Manhunt Underway for Escaped Prisoner in London
Police have launched a major operation to locate a convicted robber who escaped from custody at a hospital in west London. Daniel Boakye, aged 21, was being held at HMP Feltham and went missing in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 February 2026, while under the supervision of prison staff.
Details of the Escape and Police Response
The Metropolitan Police were notified by the Prison Service at approximately 03:30hrs on Tuesday that Boakye had absconded from a hospital location. A spokesperson for the Met stated: "Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries in an effort to locate him and return him to custody. While the investigation proceeds at pace, we will not be able to provide further details at this time." Boakye, who resides at Alma Road in Enfield, was sentenced in July 2023 to six years and five months imprisonment for conspiracy to commit robbery and an additional robbery offence.
Background of the Criminal Offences
Between June 2021 and January 2022, Boakye and three other teenagers executed a spree of robberies and attempted robberies across London and Essex. The group, armed with knives, targeted innocent members of the public, coercing them into surrendering their mobile phones and providing passcodes. They subsequently transferred victims' cryptocurrency into digital wallets, amassing over £115,000 in stolen funds. Additionally, they exploited stored bank details to make fraudulent purchases, including top-up cards and taxi journeys.
Detective Constable James Green of the Met's Specialist Crime Command remarked on the case: "In total, there were 19 robberies within the conspiracy in which 26 people were robbed. During my career as a police officer I have not come across criminals of such a cowardly nature. The group singled out innocent members of the public whilst armed with weapons in order to rob them of their mobile phones and digital currencies."
Ongoing Search and Public Safety Concerns
The escape has raised significant public safety concerns, given Boakye's history of violent crime and the sophisticated nature of his previous offences. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the manhunt intensifies. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in prisoner transport and hospital security protocols, prompting reviews to prevent future occurrences.
Boakye's criminal activities involved not only physical threats but also cyber-enabled fraud, demonstrating a blend of traditional robbery techniques with modern digital theft. The police continue to pursue all leads, focusing on locations he may frequent, including potential connections in Enfield and surrounding areas.
