POLICE hunting for missing prisoner Alan Giles have issued a new photograph of the 56-year-old.

The photograph was taken in the last few months and is considered to be a more up to date likeness of Giles, who left HMP Hewell, near Redditch, last Monday, October 28.

A week on from his disappearance, detectives are stepping up their search for Giles and have renewed their appeal for help in the search for the convicted killer.

On Thursday night, police received reports he had been seen in Inkberrow, near Worcester, and dispatched two vehicles the following morning, also to Inkberrow, after calls from the public.

Officers still believe Giles is probably in the south Warwickshire or south Worcestershire areas and may be sleeping rough.

However, police are keeping an open mind as to his whereabouts and Giles could be further afield.

He is described as a white man, 5ft 9inches tall, with short grey hair and blue eyes. He has tattoos of a shark, swallow and flower on his left arm and an eagle on his back.

Detective Inspector Leighton Harding said: “We are issuing this new image of Alan Giles in a bid to trace him. We are very pleased with the public’s response so far but we need as many people as possible to see this new photograph and tell us if they spot Giles.

"It is vital that members of the public do not approach Giles but if they do see him they should ring us on 999 immediately."

Over the weekend an Ad Van was used to drive around South Warwickshire with a wanted appeal featuring a photo of Giles.

Police hope this van will allow more people to see the appeal and contact us with information.

Giles was at HMP Hewell serving two life sentences for the kidnap and murder of 16-year-old Quinton student Kevin Ricketts in 1995.

Anyone with information for police should contact Redditch CID by dialling 101, or 999 and asking for the police.