Danhi Smith, who is dangerous, escaped from Beckenham's Bethlam Hospital on Sunday

Four violent mental patients escape from Bethlam

by Kate Nelson, Senior Reporter Wednesday, February 29, 2012
12:24 PM

»A manhunt is underway and all ports on high alert after four violent, mentally ill teenagers escaped from Bethlam Hospital.

Three have now returned but, at the time of going to press, Danhi Smith, 18, who poses a danger to himself and the public, is still missing.

They absconded from the adolescent unit in Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham on Sunday at around 1.15pm.

One of the three returnees made it to the Kent Coast and was trying to leave the country on the back of a lorry before his arrest on Tuesday.

The other was picked up by police at South Norwood Station on Monday while the third returned of his own accord on Sunday evening.

A Bromley police spokesman said a manhunt was underway to find Smith, with all ports having been made aware of his disappearance.

Officers were visiting his relatives and other addresses he is associated with.

Smith, is black, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build with short black afro style hair. He was wearing a pink and grey t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

Staff at the unit took “immediate steps to secure the site” after the escape, said a spokesperson for South London and Maudsley Trust.

He added: “We have begun a thorough investigation into how this happened. We continue to work with the police to ensure the return of the last patient.”

He said the unit was fully staffed at the time.

In 2009, convicted killer Patricia Gillette escaped for two days after absconding on an escorted shopping trip to West Wickham.

If members of the public see Smith they should not approach him but call 999 immediately. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call Bromley CID on 020 8284 8859 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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