Runaway prisoner arrested after major search due in court today

A man who fled from security staff at a Fife police station has been arrested, police have said.

The 33-year-old broke free from GeoAmey staff at Dunfermline Police Station in Fife on Monday.

He was arrested at a property in Kirkcaldy at around 4.30pm yesterday and is expected to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court today.

A major search, including a police helicopter, took place and a care home was secured as officers searched the grounds outside.

Officers searched a number of buildings, including in the grounds of Leys Park Care Centre.

GeoAmey took over from G4S in January after being awarded the £238 million contract for transferring prisoners to court for the next eight years.

The firm, which had a record of escapes south of the border, was the only bidder for the Scotland-wide deal.

Incidents in England included a suspect who escaped from a moving van in Grimsby and a teenager in custody absconding while being transferred to a secure vehicle at a court in Ealing.

In June, an Aberdeen sheriff blasted the security firm after it sent a prisoner to the wrong court.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Dunfermline, said GeoAmey would have to take responsibility after taxpayers’ money was spent launching the search in Dunfermline.

“This incident is very concerning,” she said.

Claire Baker, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said the incident raised “serious questions” about the security firm.