Merseyside's history of prison breaks from daylight van raids to fake illness
This article reviews the history of high-profile prison escapes in Merseyside, detailing various methods used by criminals to evade custody. It highlights specific cases, including the 2011 escape of gang members Kirk Bradley and Tony Downes from a security van.
Why it matters
The piece provides historical context on regional crime and security failures, illustrating the evolution of criminal tactics and police responses.
These prisoners tried to escape punishment by going on the run. They include a pair of "blood brothers" who orchestrated a terrifying two-year campaign of violence across Merseyside, a convicted murderer who feigned illness to break out of jail, and a gangster caught by police while buying a sandwich. Perhaps the most high profile is the escape of Downes and Bradley, a "thick as thieves" pair of hired guns who were sprung from a prison van bound for Liverpool Crown Court in 2011 before making their escape to the continent. Sean Walmsley, who was freed by armed men carrying a submachine gun during a trip to Aintree Hospital in 2017, spent 18 months on the run before being tracked down in Leeds, having grown long hair and a thick beard. He told officers, "Good job, boys."
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