POLICE are hunting a man who performed a disappearing act when police charged him with a bag snatch.

An alleged mugger and his accomplice climbed out of a visitors' room inside Gill Bridge Avenue police station in Sunderland and crawled out through a roof void - right over police officers' heads.

Police chiefs yesterday took the unusual step of naming Karl Wayne Ford, who is now wanted for an offence of escaping from lawful custody.

The 26-year-old is believed to have forced tiles off the ceiling of a Home Office-approved visitors' room at the Sunderland City Police headquarters.

The pair then reportedly climbed into a roof void, before making their escape.

Detective Inspector John Watts, who is leading the hunt, said: "This incident does raise security issues about the design of the secure visitors' area, which met strict Home Office criteria to house high-category prisoners during closed visits.

"No blame can be attached to the custody staff for this incident, because of these standards.

"However, we are keen to trace Karl Ford and we want to speak to the visitor who assisted him during the escape attempt."

Anyone with information about the men's whereabouts is asked to contact Sunderland City CID on 0191-454 7555.