Police scour bushland

BUSHLAND behind Geilston Bay on Hobart’s Eastern Shore remained of high interest to police crews last night as officers continued the search for a Risdon Prison escapee.

Police crews converged on Geilston Bay streets from about 5.30pm last night as they continued their hunt for prisoner Graham John Enniss, of Smithton, who broke out of Risdon Prison about 8.30am yesterday.

He was sentenced to eight years’ prison in 2016 for shooting a firearm towards police.

Enniss is described as 180cm tall and of solid to muscular build. He is believed to be clean shaven and has the word “thug” tattooed on his neck.

Tasmania Police swarmed Oscars Place in Geilston Bay on Monday night where officers believed Enniss may have been hiding.

Dozens of residents were seen standing outside their properties or peering through windows as the police search extended into the evening.

Police crews, including Special Operations Group officers, were seen raiding backyards and homes in search of Enniss. One concerned resident who returned home to their property late on Monday told the Mercury they did not want to enter their house until after a police search there had ended.

Another resident said “it was pretty scary” seeing multiple police with guns storm past their property.

The resident, whose home borders bushland where police last night were searching, said they wouldn’t sleep until they heard he was caught.

An elderly European resident said the police presence brought back memories of war.