A Hollesley Bay prisoner who absconded was found in a field by a police dog, it has emerged.

The 30-year-old man absconded the open prison near Woodbridge at around 4pm on Thursday.

A manhunt involving the police helicopter, the police dog unit and other police response units was launched and the prisoner was found in a field in Hollesley by a police dog at around 6.30pm.

The man was taken into custody at the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre by officers and was yesterday set to be returned to the prison.

In a statement, a spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “Suffolk police were contacted by the prison shortly before 4pm on Thursday, August 20, regarding a prisoner who had absconded.

“A search of the area was carried-out, assisted by the police helicopter and dog units, and the man, aged 30, was located nearby at 6.30pm.

“He was arrested on suspicion of absconding from lawful custody and taken to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre, from where he will be returned to the prison system.”

A Prisons Service spokesman said: “A HMP Hollesley Bay prisoner absconded on Thursday afternoon.

“We immediately informed police and he was returned to custody within three hours.”