POLICE are searching for a man who escaped from police custody at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, at about 9.30am today.

Shaun Anthony Hewitt, 29, was arrested yesterday for a recall to prison after he had breached his licence.

He had served a four-year sentence for a robbery offence in 2003 and was released on licence in January. He was taken ill while in custody and taken to hospital last night.

Officers have been searching the area using police dogs and the police helicopter.

He is white, 5ft 10in tall, with greasy black hair. He was wearing dark track suit bottoms, a dirty T-shirt and a denim jacket, with black trainers. He may have a bandage on his left arm.

He is known to live in Drayman's Walk, Abingdon, but also has been living at an address on the Britwell Estate in Slough.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Members of the public are advised not to approach him but to contact police if they see him.

"If you have information please contact Insp Darren Carver via 0845 8 505 505."