A DANGEROUS prisoner who escaped from prison and is on the run was last spotted headed towards Oxford.

John Rooney absconded from HMP Springhill, near Aylesbury, at about 6.30am on Monday.

The 47-year-old, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2003 for robbery and kidnap, was last seen about half an hour later on a bus travelling towards Oxford from Bicester.

Police are urging people not to approach him as he “poses a risk of harm to the public”.

Rooney is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim, with brown hair and has tattoos on his left arm, left wrist, hand and fingers.

He also has tattoos on his right hand, and letters on his right fingers and a scar on his right hand.

Police did not provide descriptions of the tattoos.

When he left the prison, he was wearing a blue top, blue jeans and was carrying a bag.

Police are urging anyone who sees Rooney to call 999 immediately.

Senior investigating officer, Det Insp Joe Banfield said: “Thames Valley Police is working closely with the Prison Service to try to locate Rooney. If you have any information about Rooney’s whereabouts, please call police.”