Manhunt launched after suspect escapes custody van outside Liverpool court

A manhunt is underway for Stephen Grzyb, 22, who escaped from a custody van outside Liverpool magistrates' court this morning. Grzyb, charged with a domestic-related burglary, was last seen on Red Cross Street heading towards The Strand. Merseyside Police urge the public to report any sightings.

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Manhunt launched after suspect escapes custody van outside Liverpool court

Get you up to speed: Manhunt after suspect escaped prison van moments after it arrived outside court | News UK

Stephen Grzyb, 22, escaped from a custody van outside Liverpool magistrates’ court where he was due to face charges of domestic-related burglary. Merseyside Police are conducting extensive inquiries to locate him, and he was last seen on Red Cross Street heading towards The Strand.

A manhunt is under way following Stephen Grzyb’s escape from a GEOAmey custody van outside Liverpool magistrates’ court at approximately 10am. Extensive inquiries include patrols at the alleged victim’s home and ongoing CCTV investigations throughout the city centre.

Merseyside Police are actively searching for Stephen Grzyb, 22, who escaped from a custody van shortly before his scheduled court appearance, with Inspector Bethan Hannon urging the public to report any sightings to aid in his recapture. In addition to public appeals, officers are conducting extensive inquiries and patrols, particularly around the home of the alleged victim, as they work to locate him swiftly.

What remains unclear — Authorities have not disclosed whether there are security measures in place to prevent a similar escape in the future.

Manhunt launched after suspect escapes custody van outside Liverpool court

Stephen Grzyb, 22, was due to appear at Liverpool magistrates’ court this morning charged with a domestic-related burglary (Pictures: Merseyside Police/PA/Reuters)

A manhunt is under way after a suspect escaped a custody van moments after it pulled up outside court.

Stephen Grzyb, 22, was due to appear at Liverpool magistrates’ court this morning charged with a domestic-related burglary.

Merseyside Police released a photo of him as part of an urgent appeal, saying: ‘He remains on the run.’

Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, was last seen on Red Cross Street, heading in the direction of The Strand.

He is described as white, with short, dark hair and was last seen wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts.

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Extensive inquiries are currently being taken by officers to locate him and patrols have also attended the home of the alleged victim in the case.

Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Stephen Grzyb who escaped police custody on arrival at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey, Merseyside Police said. Issue date: Saturday August 01, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Grzyb, who was charged with a domestic-related burglary, fled down Red Cross Street in the direction of The Strand (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA)
A prison van believed to be transporting Paul Doyle, the 53-year old charged with multiple offences including dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm after a car drove into a crowd at Liverpool FC's trophy parade, arrives at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in Liverpool, Britain, May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Grzyb made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey (Picture: Reuters)

Inspector Bethan Hannon said: ‘We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see Grzyb’s face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible.

‘If you have heard from him or know where he is, please do the right thing and come forward.

‘Assisting him in any way will bring police to your own door, so it is not an association worth keeping.

‘If you see Grzyb, please call 999 immediately.

‘We are carrying out extensive enquiries to find him with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made right across the city centre so that we can return him to custody.’

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