They left open prison between specific times on New Year’s Day, with one ‘understood’ to have convictions for violence and false imprisonment
18:53, 03 Jan 2026Updated 18:57, 03 Jan 2026
Two men have fled from an open prison near Bristol with police urgently seeking information concerning their whereabouts.
Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, fled HMP Leyhill at some point between 5pm and 8pm on New Year’s Day, police believe. A third man suspected of absconding from the facility at the same time was arrested in Bristol earlier today (Saturday, January 3).
Members of the public are advised not to approach either of the two men who remained at large. Police have released CCTV footage of both men from the day they left the prison in a bid to find them.
An Avond and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Two prisoners have absconded from HMP Leyhill and we want to hear from anyone who has information around their whereabouts.”
“Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne are understood to have left the prison in South Gloucestershire at some time between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday 1 January. The pair are not originally from Avon and Somerset and have links to various parts of the country.
“Anyone who sees the two men are urged to please call 999 right away.”
CCTV footage of Washbourne (L) and Armstrong (R) from the day they absconded from prison
Neither Armstrong nor Washbourne is originally from Avon and Somerset. The pair links to various parts of the country, police said.
Armstrong was described as white, male, about 5ft 9in, with ginger hair and scars on his forehead. He was last seen wearing a burgundy/orange coat, grey cap, grey tracksuit suit bottoms with blue on the side, and black boots.
Armstrong, who has links to Warwickshire, was convicted of a murder that took place in the county during a robbery in the late 2000s, police said.
Washbourne was described as white, male, about 5ft 6in, slim, with brown hair and clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, blue hat and black trainers. Police said they ‘understood’ he had previous convictions for violence against a person and false imprisonment.
Daniel Washbourne
Matthew Armstrong
HMP Leyhill reported the absconders to Avon and Somerset Police on Thursday evening and officers attended the prison at about 9.45pm to begin carrying out enquiries.
Police officers elsewhere in the country have checked addresses linked to the pair, with no luck finding them so far. Intelligence work to trace the men is ongoing.
Anyone who saw either of the men was urged to call 999 immediately and quote reference number 5226000700 . Alternatively, anyone with information that may assist police enquiries, was asked to call 101.
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or via its website. Anyone reporting information will not need to give their name or attend court, police confirmed.