A search has been launched for two men who escaped from prison after being locked up for burglary.

Billy Smith, 37 and John Loveridge, 31 are believed to have left HMP Hollesley Bay near Woodbridge in Suffolk together in a silver vehicle.

The pair were flagged as missing yesterday morning after they failed to appear at a roll call at 11pm on Tuesday.

Smith was serving a six-year sentence at the Category D prison for burglary, theft and actual bodily harm (ABH) offences.

He is described as having black hair and a full beard, around 6’1″ tall, of medium build, and is thought to have ties to Bedford.

Loveridge was on a seven-year term after being convicted on six counts of conspiring to commit burglary.

He had links to Harlow in Essex, and is described as white, approximately 5’7″ and of proportionate build with blonde hair and a full beard.

Suffolk Constabulary said: ’37-year-old Billy Smith and 31-year-old John Loveridge were absent at roll call around 11pm Tuesday, which was reported to police in the early hours [Wednesday].’

‘It is believed that the men may have left together in a silver vehicle, which was seen in the area that evening’, the force added.

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