A manhunt has been launched to find a man who absconded from a psychiatric hospital in Woolwich, Scotland Yard said.

Paul Williams, 48, was last seen near Woolwich Arsenal station at 1.40pm yesterday afternoon.

Williams is believed to be a danger to the public and police are warning people not to approach him.

He absconded from the hospital on Stadium Road at about 11.45 this morning after assaulting two members of staff.

He later assaulted the driver of a car on the same road before stealing the vehicle and burgled a home in Caldwell Close, also in Woolwich.

Neither the car driver nor the victim of the burglary needed hospital treatment. The car has since been abandoned.

Williams is described as a bald black man, around 6 ft 3 ins tall and of large build. He speaks with an American accent.

He was last seen wearing a black top with black shorts and white trainers and carrying a maroon suitcase.

The police operation to find Williams is being led by officers from Greenwich supported by colleagues from the Specialist Crime & Operations Command.

Any sightings of Williams should be reported to the police on 999 quoting reference 14mis042920.