POLICE are hunting a man who escaped from Ford prison almost a month ago.

Christopher Grinham, 37, absconded from Ford Open Prison near Arundel on September 24, but it has taken prison authorities and Sussex Police a month to put out a public appeal for him.

They now believe he may have made his way to Surrey.

But despite a possible sighting of the convicted burglar more than a week ago he is still at large.

Grinham is described as white, with light brown hair, blue eyes, of slim build and around 5ft 5ins tall.

Grinham was jailed after being snared by one of the Metropolitan Police's elite "super-recogniser" squad last October.

But less than a year into his sentence he has walked out of the open prison - which has been troubled by escapes.

Last year The Argus revealed dozens of prisoners were still on the run after absconding from the open prison over the past 10 years.

Fraudsters and a murderer are among 37 who ran away from Ford Open Prison between 2004 and 2015 and have not been recaptured.

Robert Donovan, now 60 or 61, was jailed for life after stabbing to death a man in London but failed to return to Ford after day release in June 2010.

The Ministry of Justice has previously refused to name 24 others still on the run citing data protection laws and potential risk to victims and police investigations.

Grinham burgled the Captain Cash pawn shop in Central Parade, New Addington, Croydon last April. Days later

he broke into a flat in South Croydon, then broke into the rear garden of another address and smashed the rear patio door window to gain entry, disturbing the owner of the property.

Anyone who may have information relating Grinham's whereabouts is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101, or online quoting reference 47170138067.