On June 30, 2026, convicted drug dealer Oliver Mazirel climbed over a perimeter fence at HMP Ford and walked away into the West Sussex countryside. Weeks later, police are still searching for him.
The 38-year-old was serving time for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Now, Sussex Police are leading an intense search while rounding up people who tried to help him hide.
If you're wondering how someone serving hard time for drug offenses simply scales a fence and vanishes, you aren't alone. It happens more often than prison officials care to admit.
The HMP Ford Escape and What We Know So Far
Oliver Mazirel didn't pull off a Hollywood heist. He didn't dig a tunnel or hack security cameras. He simply scaled a fence.
Sussex Police released CCTV imagery showing Mazirel shortly before he made his move. He is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with short, light brown hair. Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs confirmed that Mazirel has strong local connections, specifically across Worthing and Littlehampton.
He didn't act entirely alone after climbing over.
Officers have already arrested two men from Worthing, aged 35 and 38, on suspicion of assisting an offender. Detective Inspector Jacobs made it clear that investigators are actively pursuing a third accomplice believed to have aided the escapee.
How Category D Open Prisons Actually Function
People get confused when they hear an inmate escaped by climbing a low fence. Doesn't prison mean locked cells and armed guards?
Not always.
HMP Ford is a Category D open prison near Arundel in West Sussex. In the British penal system, open prisons serve as a transitional facility. They hold offenders who are nearing the end of their sentences or who have been assessed as low risk to the public.
- The focus in Category D facilities is rehabilitation and community reintegration.
- Security is intentionally minimal compared to high-security Category A or B institutions.
- Physical barriers are low, and inmates often work on-site or participate in community day releases.
When an inmate leaves a Category D prison without permission, official protocol classifies it as "absconding" rather than a prison break. But for local residents, the distinction feels technical. A convicted Class A drug dealer is loose in the community, plain and simple.
The Legal Consequences of Assisting a Fleeing Inmate
Some friends or associates think aiding an absconder is a minor favor. They think offering a couch for a night or giving someone a ride won't cost them much.
They're completely wrong.
Under UK law, assisting an offender under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 carries severe penalties. If you knowingly help a convicted felon evade law enforcement, you risk joining them behind bars.
"Anyone helping the escapee could face a lengthy spell in prison," warned Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs during a recent police update.
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The two men arrested in Worthing are finding that out the hard way. Providing cash, transportation, shelter, burner phones, or false alibis quickly turns an associate into a co-defendant.
What to Do If You Spot Oliver Mazirel or Have Information
Police manhunts rely heavily on public tips. If you live in or near West Sussex, keep your eyes open.
- Check the description: Oliver Mazirel is 38 years old, 5'7" tall, with short light brown hair.
- Do not approach: If you spot him in Worthing, Littlehampton, or the surrounding areas, do not confront him directly.
- Contact authorities immediately: Call 999 if you see him in real time. For non-urgent tips or information about people aiding his whereabouts, report online or call 101 quoting Sussex Police incident references.
- Remain anonymous if necessary: You can provide details without giving your name by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
