POLICE are searching for a convicted burglar who went on the run from the notorious Felmores bail hostel.

Wayne Kavanagh, 22, was reported missing by probation workers at the bail hostel on Tuesday, December 10.

He was placed there after being released from a two-year prison sentence for a string of burglaries across Southend.

Officers have spent the past ten days visiting homes across Southend and Rayleigh in a bid to find Kavanagh.

They have so far failed to identify his whereabouts or anyone who is harbouring him.

Despite this, police still believe friends are hiding Kavanagh.

DI Andy Harvey, investigating officer, said: "Wayne knows that we want him and his friends know we want him which is why they are doing their best to help him.

"Let us make one element clear to these people: We will look to prosecute anyone who is found to be assisting or harbouring this fugitive.

"This has turned into a partnership approach operation where we are relying on the community to provide us with the leads to go and arrest Wayne.”

Kavanagh is described as white, around 5ft 11ins tall and of medium build.

He has distinctive tattoos of scroll-writing on both sides of his neck.

Police are urging members of the public not to approach him.

Anyone who sees Kavanagh should call police immediately on 999 or those with information on his whereabouts should contact detectives at Southend police station on 101.