A MAN who was alleged to have threatened police with a knife in Amesbury last night could be a prisoner on the run after absconding from jail last month, it has been revealed. 

Jason Sufi, 39  is serving a nine-year sentence for burglary, false imprisonment and robbery. He absconded from HMP Springhill in Buckinghamshire on February 20 at around 1.15 pm.

Police believe Sufi may have been involved in an incident last night in Bence Court, Amesbury and are asking for anyone who has seen him to come forward.

Initial reports said he had threatened an officer with a knife, but police have now said nobody was threatened. 

Sufi is white, about 5ft 6ins tall, with olive skin, dark hair and with a medium build. He was wearing a long-sleeved black top, black shorts and white socks and trainers.

He was last seen in the Archers Gate area of Amesbury at around 9:30 pm. 

A police spokesman said: "We are working closely with Thames Valley Police and don’t want residents to be alarmed, but we would advise anyone who sees a man matching this description not to approach him but to call 999 immediately."

Local Inspector Pete Sparrow said: “This was an isolated incident and although the suspect had a knife it was dropped as he fled the scene and thankfully no one was injured.

"There will be extra patrols in the Amesbury area as a precaution and you may see other police activity as officers carry out their enquiries to locate this man. We ask that our local community helps us by calling in any sightings of him via 999.”