A HUNT has been launched for a convict who has been missing from prison for almost a week.

Police are urging anyone who sees Simon Deacon not to approach him and to call 999 immediately.

The 47-year-old was serving a sentence for robbery at Ford Prison, near Climping.

But he has not been seen since 1.10pm on November 19 after absconding with another prisoner.

The Argus: Simon Deacon was serving a sentence for robbery at Ford PrisonSimon Deacon was serving a sentence for robbery at Ford Prison

The second inmate was tracked down and arrested by Thames Valley Police three days later, but Deacon remains missing.

Deacon is white, 6ft tall and stocky with short brown hair and a fringe.

He was last seen wearing grey or black Nike jogging bottoms, a cream jacket with a green top underneath and black Nike trainers.

He has links to West Sussex and Brockley, as well as Greenwich and Sydenham in South East London.

He is also known to visit Northamptonshire, Havant in Hampshire and Harefield in Middlesex.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Anyone who sees Deacon - or knows of his whereabouts - should not approach him but instead call 999 immediately quoting serial 1268 of 19/11."

The Argus: Ford PrisonFord Prison

This is the fourth appeal to find missing prisoners from the Sussex site launched by Sussex Police in the last two months.

Jay Davis, who was serving a sentence for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, absconded from HMP Ford on October 12.

He was traced to a campsite in Telscombe where he was surrounded by armed police after 12 days on the run.

Sussex Police also appealed for help in finding Dominic Van Allen on October 18 after he went missing from the prison three days before.

And an appeal for the whereabouts of Clayton McCalman was issued on November 7.

No update has been issued on the appeals for Van Allen and McCalman.