A criminal on the run from a West Midlands prison is believed to be in Sussex.

West Midlands Police are asking for help in finding a man who failed to return to HMP Hewell Prison in Redditch while on day release.

Paul Cooke, 33, went missing on Saturday June 7 in West Bromwich. He was on day release from prison but failed to return..

At Birmingham Crown Court in February 2012 Cooke was sentenced to four years in prison for burglary.

Cooke has links to West Bromwich and the Yew Tree Estate of Walsall and has also stayed in the Handsworth and Acocks Green areas of Birmingham.

Police are also investigating whether he maybe in the Hampshire, Surrey or Sussex police force areas.

PC Paul Bryant from Sandwell Offender Management said: " Cooke is unlawfully at large and we are appealing for help from anyone who may have seen him or knows where he is to contact us. We are working closely with HMP Hewell and other police forces to track him down and send him back to prison to serve his sentence."

He added: "Cooke is not considered a danger to the public but if anyone spots him they should call police on 101."

Cooke is described as white, 5'10", with short brown hair, sometimes gelled, blue eyes and he has a rose tattoo on the left part of his chest with the name 'Jade' underneath. He also has a scar under his right eye. He was last seen wearing a blue and white jumper, a grey jacket, blue tracksuit bottoms and trainers,. He sometimes wears glasses and often wears smart clothing.

Anyone with information should phone 101 and ask for West Midlands police.