Police have launched a manhunt after a suspected robber fled court in Wimbledon.

Jeremy Pearce, 21, escaped from Wimbledon Magistrates' Court yesterday after the bench ruled to remand him in custody over three robbery charges and one of possessing an offensive weapon.

It is understood the crimes took place in Wandsworth and Pearce is from the West Norwood area.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said he should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 999 immediately.

He is described as being around 6ft 4in (1.93m) in height and of slim build. He had stubble on his face.

Police also said he had a distinctive scar on his forehead, a one-and-a-half inch scar on his left hand, a cut to his right wrist, a burn scar on the back of his right hand and was wearing a white tracksuit top and white tracksuit bottoms.