POLICE are searching the Briantspuddle area for a sex offender who is on the run.

CCTV images of David Chadwick on a train at Weymouth have also been released by Dorset Police on Friday evening.

Here's a video of him on the train:

Chadwick, 58, from Weymouth was recently released from prison but breached his licence conditions when he failed to report to the probation service in Weymouth at his allotted time.

The public are being warned not to approach Chadwick if they see him, but to immediately call 999.

Police have since confirmed Chadwick got on a London-bound train on Wednesday and got off at Moreton station, below, at around 12.40pm.

Dorset Echo:

 

It is understood he then hitchhiked to nearby Briantspuddle where a search involving police officers and volunteers from Dorset Search and Rescue was carried out.

Detective Inspector Joe Williams, said: “Initial investigations led us to discovering that David Chadwick travelled by train from Weymouth to Moreton, near Dorchester, on Wednesday afternoon. We believe that he arrived in Moreton at around 12.40pm.

“It is now believed Mr Chadwick hitchhiked from Moreton train station to Briantspuddle on Wednesday and that he did so by via an unsuspecting member of the public.

“We also understand that Chadwick has with him a rucksack, sleeping bag and Ordnance Survey map and so it is possible that he is sleeping in outbuildings within the area.

“We would like to reassure the public that local neighbourhood policing teams have stepped up patrols in the area and we are doing everything we can to find him.

“Anyone who sees David Chadwick should not approach him, as he presents a risk to the public, but immediately contact Dorset Police on 999.

“There may be various reasons why he has not complied with his licence conditions and I appeal to him directly to make contact with police at the earliest opportunity.”

Dorset Echo:

DorSAR in Briantspuddle

Dorset Echo:

Police in Briantspuddle on Friday evening

 

David Chadwick is described as white, of medium build, around five feet ten inches tall, with short grey hair and a small scar on his left cheek.

When last seen he was wearing a dark coloured, Barbour style, jacket and glasses. He was also carrying A4 paperwork.

DI Richard Dixey said: “I’d like to assure members of the public that officers are making every effort to find this man as soon as possible.

“I’d also like to remind members of the public that all calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Residents in Moreton have spoken of the ‘terrifying’ situation and raised concerns as to why Chadwick was released in the first place if he posed a risk to the public.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s pretty terrifying if it’s true and he actually got off at the station as we live pretty close.
“I myself have children, my friends have children, there are a lot of children in this area.
“There are schools in the area. It’s really worrying.”

A second woman, who also did not wish to be named, questioned why Chadwick had been released from prison if he was a risk to the public.
She said: “There are a lot of questions going around the area. The authorities should explain themselves and apologise, because they have put the public at risk.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, most prisoners must be automatically released at the halfway point of their sentence.

"Sex offenders on licence are subject to a strict set of conditions, which may include exclusion zones, non-contact orders and sex offender treatment programmes, as well as being subject to the sex offenders' register.

"If an offender breaches their licence conditions they can be recalled to prison."

 

Dorset Echo:

OFFICERS are asking owners of bed and breakfasts, camp sites, hotels and stores to be vigilant for sightings of Chadwick.

The 58-year-old was jailed in 2013 when he was convicted of a number of historic and more recent sex offences against children. These offences did not take place in Dorset.

Chadwick's last known sighting was at Moreton station and Dorset Police are reminding residents he should not be approached as he presents a "risk to the public".

As well as searching on foot, detectives are monitoring CCTV in the area, and it is expected that the NPAS helicopter will be drafted in to assist in the search.

When last seen, Chadwick was wearing a dark coloured fleece-style jacket and glasses. He had bought a sleeping bag before boarding the train on Wednesday, and was also seen with a rucksack and an Ordnance Survey map.

DI Dixey said: "Mr Chadwick was sent to prison in 2013 for sexual offences against children, we therefore assess that he poses a risk to the public.
"We would want people to respond immediately to any sightings by calling 999."

The force currently has no leads on why Chadwick might have travelled to the area, and DI Dixey said they were "keeping an open mind" as to his intentions.

"We obviously have very focused searches going on there, house-to-house teams are also out there seeking information," he said.
"This is a really important appeal, the key to this case lies in help from the public."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of David Chadwick should call Dorset Police on 999.