Fugitive paedophile David Chadwick believed to be heading towards Norwich

Updated

An on-the-run paedophile who police have warned should not be approached may be heading towards Norwich.

David Chadwick, 58, who was released from prison recently, is being hunted by Dorset Police after breaching his licence conditions.

He was jailed in 2013 for committing sex offences against children.

Chadwick is believed to have taken a train from Weymouth to Moreton on Wednesday, then hitchhiked to Briantspuddle.

Detectives believe he travelled to Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, before possibly heading towards Norwich.

Detective Inspector Joe Williams, said: "The search for David Chadwick is ongoing with officers following numerous lines of inquiries, including house-to-house checks and examination of CCTV.

"We now believe that Chadwick boarded a train at Wareham railway station on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Brockenhurst, in Hampshire, at around 4.45pm.

"It is suspected that he may have then boarded a further train on Thursday with the intention of travelling to Norwich.

"Chadwick has a rucksack, sleeping bag and Ordnance Survey map with him and so it remains possible that he has been sleeping in outbuildings as he travels.

"We would like to reassure the public that police forces have been made aware of Chadwick's movements and that we are working together to ensure that he is found as soon as possible."

Chadwick is white, of average build and around 5ft 10ins, with short grey hair and a small scar on his left cheek.

He was wearing a dark fleece-style jacket and glasses and carrying an Ordnance Survey map when last seen.

Mr Williams added: "There may be various reasons why David Chadwick has not complied with his licence conditions and I appeal to him directly to make contact with police at the earliest opportunity.

"I would also like to thank the public for their response so far - the information passed on has greatly assisted the investigation."

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