POLICE are still hunting for an escaped prisoner as the search enters its fifth day.

Mark Anthony Ainsley is still at large, with a North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman confirming last night that he was “still outstanding” and “enquiries are ongoing”.

Armed police were seen outside a flat in the Huntington Road area of York on Saturday evening.

There was also a heavy police presence in Huntington and near the Vangarde Shopping Park. However, a spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police refused to confirm if they were searching for Ainsley.

He was arrested by armed police in the Kingsway area of Clifton at about 8pm on Wednesday.

He was then taken into custody, but later transported to York Hospital for treatment.

More than 24 hours after The Press revealed the reason for the increased police presence in the city, police confirmed on Friday that a manhunt was underway for Ainsley.

They said he escaped from custody during the hospital visit at about 3.35am on Thursday, and has been on the run ever since.

Despite describing Ainsley as dangerous, police have yet to release a photograph or description of the escaped prisoner.

Anyone who knows Ainsley and who has information on his whereabouts are urged to phone police immediately. If you know his whereabouts phone 999, all other information can be provided by calling North Yorkshire Police on 101, selecting option 1, and speaking to the Force Control Room.