November 13, 2015 3.25 pm This story is over 99 months old

‘Prolific’ burglar absconds from mental health centre

Burglar escapes: Police are searching for a burglar from the Irish travelling community who has been on the run for nearly eight months.

Police are searching for a burglar from the Irish travelling community with known links to Lincolnshire who has been on the run for nearly eight months.

Peter Kerrigan, 28, was on escorted leave from the John Howard Centre in Homerton, London when he absconded at approximately 4.45pm on Sunday, March 29.

Kerrigan was serving a six-year sentence for a series of burglaries, where he preyed on the elderly and vulnerable by impersonating a police officer.

He has links across the country including, Maidstone, Sussex, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Leicester and is also known to visit various areas of London, including Hackney, Brent and Newham.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from Hackney CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “It has been eight months since Kerrigan absconded.

“He was jailed for committing crimes against the vulnerable and elderly and they still have to live with his actions. He needs to be returned to custody to serve the remainder of his prison sentence.

“I am convinced somebody knows of his whereabouts and would urge them to contact me or a member of my team. I can personally assure you that all information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Officers advise anyone who sees Peter Kerrigan, or knows of his whereabouts, to call 999 immediately.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The charity will provide a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest of Kerrigan.