Urgent manhunt is launched to find a ‘violent’ mental health patient who is a ‘risk to women’ after he absconds from a care facility for the FOURTH time

Police have launched an urgent manhunt to find a ‘violent’ mental health patient who is a ‘risk to women’ after he escaped from a care facility for the fourth time.

Balasankar Narayanan, 44, was last seen at 6.40pm on August 4, when he bolted away from carers who took him to a park in north London on escorted leave. 

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a man who absconded while on escorted leave from a care facility in Ilford. Balasankar Narayanan, 44, was last seen at 6.40pm on Sunday, 4 August when he ran off from staff at a park.

‘While our investigation to locate Balasankar continues, we are appealing to the public to help locate him. He can be violent and is considered a risk to women – if you see him please don’t approach him, but call police immediately.

‘He has links across London, notably Newham, Greenford, Hammersmith, Highgate and Ilford, as well as the West Midlands. He has also been found in Grays and Manchester. If seen call 999 immediately quoting CAD 6961/04Aug.’

The most recent image of Balasankar Narayanan, 44, who was last seen at 6.40pm on August 4, when he bolted away from carers who took him to a park in north London on escorted leave

Previous appeals reveal that Balasankar absconded from the care facility in Ilford twice last year and once in 2021.

The first appeal was issued on October 10, 2021, confirming that he had absconded on October 7.

At the time Detective Inspector Sean Treweek said: ‘We have made extensive enquiries to locate this man and those enquiries are ongoing. Balasankar Narayanan can be violent – if you see him please don’t approach him, but call police immediately.’

Another appeal was issued on June 21, 2023, confirming that he had run away from his carers again on June 18.

A third appeal was put out on September 22, 2023, with police confirming he had absconded again the day before.

The first image released of Balasankar when he abconded for the first time in October, 2021

A picture of Balasankar released by the Metropolitan Police when he absconded in September, 2023

The appeal said: ‘We suspect he may be using the rail network and urge any staff and travellers to report any sightings of him immediately. He could potentially be anywhere in the country.’

In each case, it is unclear when or where Balasankar was found.

Narayanan is listed as living at a small care home in Ilford, east London, that was converted from a residential home run by private care provider Clandon Care Ltd and houses three patients.

MailOnline has contacted Clandon Care Ltd for comment.