Police Seek Absconded Inmate Robert Maxfield Derbyshire 2026

Key Points

• Robert Maxfield, 48, absconded from the Category D open prison HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire.
• Maxfield was jailed in 2011 for offences including causing death by dangerous driving.
• Police describe Maxfield as white, about 5ft 11ins tall, of medium build, with brown hair.
• Police said Maxfield has known links to the Birmingham and Dudley areas.
• Derbyshire Constabulary warned members of the public not to approach Maxfield if seen.
• Anyone with information is asked to contact Derbyshire Police on 101 or online quoting reference 513 of 18 September.

DERBYSHIRE (Birmingham Express) September 19, 2026 — Derbyshire Constabulary has launched an urgent police appeal and manhunt following the escape of 48-year-old prisoner Robert Maxfield from the Category D open facility HMP Sudbury. Maxfield, who was imprisoned in 2011 for a series of criminal offences including causing death by dangerous driving, absconded from the prison premises on 18 September 2026.

Law enforcement officers are urgently appealing to the public for information regarding his current whereabouts, specifically highlighting his strong personal ties to both the Birmingham and Dudley areas within the West Midlands region.

What Are the Details Surrounding Robert Maxfield’s Escape From HMP Sudbury?

As reported by Derbyshire Constabulary, officers were alerted that 48-year-old Robert Maxfield had absconded from the Category D open prison facility near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Following his disappearance, law enforcement authorities released a comprehensive physical description to assist the public and regional partner forces in identifying him. Maxfield is described as a white male, roughly 5ft 11ins tall, of medium build, with brown hair.

As reported by the media desk of Derbyshire Constabulary, official police statements confirmed: “We are appealing for the public’s help finding Robert Maxfield, who has absconded from HMP Sudbury. The 48-year-old, who has links to the Birmingham and Dudley areas, left the open prison earlier today. He was originally jailed in 2011 for a number of offences, including causing death by dangerous driving, and had been serving part of his sentence at HMP Sudbury“.

What Safety Warnings and Guidelines Have Authorities Issued to the Public?

In light of Maxfield’s criminal background, which includes convictions for death by dangerous driving, police forces across Derbyshire and the West Midlands have issued explicit safety warnings to residents and commuters. Officers have advised that under no circumstances should members of the general public approach Maxfield if they encounter him.

As stated by representative officials from Derbyshire Constabulary, “The public should not approach him and instead anyone who may have seen him, or has any information about his whereabouts, is asked to contact Derbyshire Constabulary using any of the below methods including reference 513 of September 18″.

Background of HMP Sudbury and Open Prison Security Arrangements

HMP Sudbury is an open category prison (Category D) located in Derbyshire, designated primarily for adult male prisoners. Under the Ministry of Justice framework, Category D facilities are structured with minimal internal security measures compared to closed prisons. They are designed to assess and prepare prisoners who are nearing the completion of their custodial sentences for ultimate reintegration back into society.

Inmates held at open prisons undergo risk assessments before placement. Residents at Category D facilities are often afforded opportunities for temporary release on licence to undertake work placements, education, or community service projects.

Consequently, instances of prisoners absconding from open facilities—defined as leaving prison grounds without lawful permission without using physical force—have occasionally drawn public scrutiny regarding the robustness of offender risk assessment protocols prior to Category D transfers.

Prediction: How This Development May Affect the Local Community and Public Policy

The absconding of a high-profile offender serving time for serious driving offences is likely to have immediate and longer-term consequences for several key stakeholder groups:

1. Local Residents in Derbyshire and the West Midlands:Public vigilance in the West Midlands—particularly across Birmingham and Dudley—will remain heightened as law enforcement operations continue. The explicit directive instructing citizens not to approach the fugitive may elevate safety concerns among local communities until the suspect is apprehended.
2. Victims’ Families and Road Safety Campaigners:Developments involving individuals convicted of causing death by dangerous driving frequently trigger distress for victims’ families and road safety advocacy groups. This event may reignite broader debates regarding whether individuals convicted of serious motoring fatalities should qualify for Category D open prison status prior to sentence completion.
3. Prison Operations and Ministry of Justice Policy:Following high-profile absconding incidents, HMP Sudbury and the Ministry of Justice typically conduct internal reviews. This development could prompt a review of risk-assessment frameworks governing which Category D inmates receive open prison clearance, potentially leading to stricter security vetting protocols for inmates with histories of violent or dangerous driving offences.