A prisoner has absconded while on day release from Prescoed prison in Monmouthshire.

Gwent Police is appealing for information to help find Jon Marc Stephens.

Stephens, on day release, did not return to the prison at the allotted time yesterday.

Police believe there may be a risk from the man, convicted of robbery, because he is no longer in the custody of the prison service.

Gwent Police said it had “activated its operational plan with the aim of locating him and the prison is co-operating fully with us.”

Anyone who sees Stephens is advised not to approach him, but to phone Gwent Police on 101 with any information, quoting log 456 22/09/13.

Police said Stephens, who has connections in the Dyfed Powys area, is not a sex offender.