Ten HMP Hollesley Bay prisoners still on the run from Suffolk Police

Ten criminals who absconded from a Suffolk prison were still wanted by police at the end of last year, new data has revealed.

Obtained via a freedom of information request by SuffolkNews, Suffolk Police statistics also revealed the number of prisoners who absconded from HMP & YOI Hollesley Bay rose dramatically during the height of the pandemic.

This comes as a prison service spokesperson said totals have reduced in more recent years and Suffolk Police said they used a number of tactics and measures to locate offenders.

While 2017 and 2019 both saw 10 prisoners reported to police for absconding from the Woodbridge prison, and 2018 recorded 16, 2020 saw a peak in absconder reports with officers informed of 21 instances.

This number reduced in 2021, with police made aware of 15 absconders, and even more in 2022 where 10 were recorded.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the number of absconds was higher during the pandemic as prisoners were prevented from leaving the prison temporarily for employment and training opportunities.

A spokesperson said: "Through the hard work of our staff, we have significantly reduced the number of prisoner absconds from HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay.

"Those who do break the rules will be moved back to closed conditions and face extra time in jail," they added.

Of the total 82 prisoners who absconded over the six years, 10 were still wanted by Suffolk Police as of December 2022.

Gerry Sargeant, 61 who was serving a 15-year sentence at Hollesley Bay for robbery and theft, has been wanted since he failed to return to the prison at 8pm on Friday 9 September 2018, after being released on temporary licence to attend a work placement in Bury St Edmunds.

He has links to London is described as 5ft 11ins tall, of thin build, with brown eyes, white hair, clean shaven and tattoos on both forearms.

He was last seen wearing motorcycle clothing and the motorbike he was riding is a red Honda 125cc, registration number AO11 VMZ.

The public are advised not to approach him, but to call 101 quoting reference 65107/18 with any information.

Another man who is wanted after absconding is Zenel Marku. He was serving nine years for drug offences at Hollesley Bay when he went missing on April 26, 2021.

Marku is described as white, of medium build, brown eyes and with brown hair. He has links to the London area.

Anyone who believes they have seen him is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “We use a number of tactics and measures to locate offenders, including working with other police forces and law enforcement agencies such as the Border Force.

“Members of the public are advised not to approach such absconders. Anyone who believes they may have seen them, or who has any information regarding their whereabouts, is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 or pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555111.”