A MAN on the run from prison has been named as the suspect in an attempted bank robbery.
Derek Brockwell - serving a life sentence for several armed robberies - was released from Kirkham prison to work in Blackpool, but went missing after he failed to turn up.
And now police have revealed they want to speak to the 51-year-old in connection with an attempted robbery at a NatWest bank on St Annes Road West, St Annes on February 28.
Brockwell, who has links with London, Glasgow and the Republic of Ireland, was listed as a wanted man on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme on Thursday.
Although nothing was taken and no-one was hurt during the incident, officers have today warned he is considered to be “dangerous”.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “I would appeal to anyone who knows where Derek Brockwell is to come forward and contact the police immediately. If anyone has any information then I would appeal to them to get in touch.
“Even the smallest details could prove crucial as we try to locate him.”
Meanwhile, police are also stepping up their bid to find the person responsible for killing four children in a tragic house fire after they were given a possible name following an appeal on the same programme.
Reece Smith, 19, his twin sisters Holly and Ella Smith, four, and two-year-old Jordan Smith all died after a blaze was started in the wardrobe of the bedroom they were sleeping in at a house on Lytham Road, Freckleton on January 7.
Crimewatch showed an emotional appeal featuring the children’s’ mother Michelle Smith, (below) and Deputy Supt Dermott Horrigan, from Lancashire police’s major investigation team, said: “We received a number of calls last night following the Crimewatch programme.
“One call in particular came from someone giving us a name and some further information which we are following up with interest. If anyone else feels they have anything they would like us to know, I would urge them to get in touch.”
On the show Ms Smith said: “Every day that goes by, I expect to wake up and it is a nightmare, some very bad dream.”
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