Moment burglar who escaped prison van punches 'cop'

Moment burglar who broke out of prison van outside Brixton police station punches ‘cop’ who tries to stop him on Tube platform and swings wildly before fleeing

• Kwami Richards broke free from the van operated by private security on Friday
• New footage has emerged of Richards attacking a suspected cop on platform

This is the moment a runaway burglar who broke out of a prison van outside Brixton police station punched a ‘police officer’ who attempted to stop him on a Tube platform.

Police are desperately hunting 42-year-old Kwami Richards who managed to break free from the van operated by a private security firm on Friday afternoon as he was being transported back to jail.

The Met Police said that an officer chased him on foot into Brixton Underground station, but was assaulted when he tried to detain him. The force is still trying to piece together how Richards, who has broken his licence conditions, was able to escape.

New footage has since emerged of a man, thought to be the cop, bravely trying to prevent the fleeing criminal boarding the Tube.

The video shows the man pleading with Richards on the Victoria Line platform before he is shockingly punched in the face.

Police are hunting Kwami Richards (pictured) who escaped from a prison van on Friday afternoon

The footage shows the man, thought to be an officer, pleading with Richards calmly before the criminal assaults him

Richards launches a terrifying assault on the man, punching him in the face to the shock of passengers on board the Tube

Richards continues to attack the brave man before turning away and fleeing down the platform

This is the moment Richards is chased down the platform but police said yesterday that the criminal did manage to board a Victoria Line Tube

Passengers on board the train can be heard gasping as Richards continues his terrifying assault.

After wildly swinging, Richards then flees down the Tube platform, chased by the suspected officer.

Despite footage showing Richards leaving the platform, the Metropolitan Police said that Richards had managed to board a Victoria Line train as they urged the public not to approach him.

A force spokesman said: ‘Officers are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a man who escaped from custody in south London. 

‘Kwami Richards escaped from a prison transport van outside Brixton police station at approximately 2pm on Friday May 26. 

‘The 42-year-old, who has links to Wandsworth, was wanted on recall to prison for beaching his licence conditions after serving a sentence for burglary. 

‘He had been arrested by Met officers and was in the process of being transported to prison by a private security company when the incident occurred. 

‘He was pursued by a police officer who witnessed the incident into Brixton Underground station. 

Richards managed to break free from the van operated by a private security firm as he was being transported back to jail outside Brixton police station (pictured)

‘The officer was assaulted as he attempted to detain Richards who then boarded a Victoria line train. 

‘Richards should not be approached, and the public are asked to call 999 immediately if he is seen. 

‘If you have any information about his whereabouts, please call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4140/26May. 

‘You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’ 

MailOnline has approached the Met for further details. 

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