POLICE are searching for a prisoner who escaped custody while under escort in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said that police were alerted immediately when the incident happened at about 5pm on Wednesday.
Police Scotland said that inquiries are ongoing.
Edinburgh Live reported that officers were seen searching gardens on Davidson Road near the Western General Hospital.
One resident said they had seen police dogs being used to aid the search.
An SPS spokesperson said: “I can confirm an individual escaped from the custody of prison staff, while on escort in Edinburgh, at around 5pm yesterday.
“Police Scotland were called immediately and inquiries are ongoing.”
