Manhunt underway following release of prisoner from HMP Wandsworth

An urgent police investigation is underway to locate a prisoner released in error from HMP Wandsworth last week.

The Met was informed of the release shortly after 13:00hrs yesterday (Tuesday, 4 November) and immediately deployed officers to begin a search.

We can confirm that the released prisoner is 24-year-old Brahim Kaddour Cherif who is an Algerian national. He is also known to use other variations of his name, including Ibrahim.

He is believed to have links to Tower Hamlets and is also known to frequent the Westminster area.

We are aware of reporting that Cherif is a registered sex offender and can confirm that is accurate.

He was convicted in November 2024 of indecent exposure relating to an incident in March that year. He was sentenced to an 18 month community order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

Commander Paul Trevers, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “It is just over 24 hours since we were informed of Cherif’s release. We launched an immediate manhunt and urgent enquiries have been ongoing since.

“Cherif has had a six-day head start but we are working urgently to close the gap and establish his whereabouts.

“We will continue to use all the means at our disposal but we are also appealing for the public's help to find him. We have seen in the very recent past how important alert members of the public reporting sightings can be.

“To assist with that effort we have released an image of Cherif and bodyworn video footage from an arrest in September this year.”

Anyone who sees Cherif is asked not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.

Anyone who has other information about his movements should call 101.