Manhunt launched for Stephen Grzyb after Liverpool court escape 2026

Key Points

• Stephen Grzyb, 22, escaped from police custody on arrival at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
• He was being transported by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey from a police custody suite when he fled on foot at around 10am.
• Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, was charged with a domestic-related burglary.
• He fled down Red Cross Street in the direction of The Strand after escaping.
• He is described as white, with short, dark hair, and was last seen wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts.
• Merseyside Police have launched extensive enquiries, including foot patrols and CCTV reviews across Liverpool city centre.
• Patrols have attended the home of the alleged victim to ensure her safety.
• Inspector Bethan Hannon urged the public to call 999 if they see Grzyb and warned against assisting him.

Liverpool Crime (Liverpool standard) August 1, 2026 – A manhunt has been launched for a 22-year-old man who escaped police custody on arrival at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Saturday. Stephen Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey, Merseyside Police said. Grzyb, who was charged with a domestic-related burglary, fled down Red Cross Street in the direction of The Strand, the force added. He is described as white, with short, dark hair and was last seen wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts.

Who is Stephen Grzyb and what charges was he facing?

Stephen Grzyb, 22, is a resident of Princess Drive, Liverpool. He was being transported to Liverpool Magistrates’ Court to face charges related to a domestic-related burglary. According to Merseyside Police, Grzyb was in the custody of GEOAmey, a prisoner transport contractor, when he escaped on arrival outside the court.

As reported by The Independent, Grzyb’s court appearance was related to allegations of a domestic-related burglary. The force confirmed that extensive inquiries are currently being taken by officers to locate him.

How did Stephen Grzyb escape from police custody?

According to Merseyside Police, Grzyb escaped as he arrived at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court at approximately 10am. He fled on foot down Red Cross Street toward The Strand. The exact circumstances of his escape have not been detailed by authorities, but the incident occurred as he was being moved from a police custody suite to the court by GEOAmey.

As reported by The Independent, Grzyb “made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey”. The force added that he “fled down Red Cross Street in the direction of The Strand”.

What is the police response to Stephen Grzyb’s escape?

Merseyside Police have launched extensive enquiries to locate Grzyb. Inspector Bethan Hannon stated,

“We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see Grzyb’s face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible.”

As reported by The Independent, Inspector Hannon said:

“If you have heard from him or know where he is, please do the right thing and come forward. Assisting him in any way will bring police to your own door, so it is not an association worth keeping. If you see Grzyb, please call 999 immediately. We are carrying out extensive enquiries to find him with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made right across the city centre so that we can return him to custody.”

Patrols have also attended the home of the alleged victim in the case to ensure she is safeguarded while the search is ongoing.

How can the public help locate Stephen Grzyb?

Merseyside Police have urged members of the public to call 999 if they see Grzyb. Inspector Hannon emphasised the importance of public assistance:

“We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see Grzyb’s face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible.”

As reported by The Independent, the force is carrying out extensive enquiries to find Grzyb with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made right across the city centre.

What description has police issued for Stephen Grzyb?

Merseyside Police have issued a description of Grzyb to aid in his capture. He is described as white, with short, dark hair. When last seen, he was wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts.

As reported by The Independent, Grzyb is characterised as white with short dark hair and was last observed wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts. Authorities are actively conducting thorough investigations to locate him.

Background: Previous prison van escapes involving GEOAmey in the UK

The escape of Stephen Grzyb from police custody outside Liverpool Magistrates’ Court is not an isolated incident involving prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey. In March 2025, Jamie Cooper, 33, escaped from a GEOAmey prison van on the M55 near Preston while being transported to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court. According to Lancashire Police and GEOAmey, Cooper reportedly faked a medical emergency to get the van to pull over before overpowering guards and making his escape. He was later charged with escaping from lawful custody and was captured three days later.

In November 2025, a GEOAmey prison van was involved in a collision while en route from HMP Altcourse to the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Liverpool. According to GEOAmey, another vehicle collided with the rear of the van, but there were no severe injuries resulting from the incident.

In May 2024, Daniel Gee, 44, escaped from Kirklevington Grange Prison, a Category D open prison on Teesside. Gee had been given an indefinite sentence for making threats to kill at Liverpool Crown Court in 2010. Cleveland Police initially led the search, but Merseyside Police later took over the investigation as Gee had links to Liverpool.

In February 2017, Shaun Walmsley, 28, escaped from custody during a hospital visit in Liverpool. According to Merseyside Police, two men reportedly threatened prison officers with a gun and a knife as Walmsley was leaving Aintree University Hospital. Walmsley was serving at least 30 years in prison for murder at the time of his escape.

Prediction: How this development could affect public confidence in the prison transport system

The escape of Stephen Grzyb from police custody outside Liverpool Magistrates’ Court is likely to raise questions about the security of prisoner transport operations in the UK. Members of the public in Liverpool and beyond may become more aware of the potential vulnerabilities in the system, particularly when prisoners are being transported to court appearances.

For the prison transport contractor GEOAmey, this incident could lead to increased scrutiny of their procedures and security measures. The company, which is responsible for transporting prisoners between custody suites and courts under the Ministry of Justice, may face pressure to review and enhance their protocols to prevent similar escapes in the future.

For Merseyside Police and other law enforcement agencies, the incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and coordination with prison transport contractors. The extensive enquiries launched by Merseyside Police, including foot patrols and CCTV reviews across the city centre, demonstrate the resources required to locate escaped prisoners.

For the alleged victim in Grzyb’s case, the escape has necessitated additional police patrols to her home to ensure her safety. This underscores the broader impact of such escapes on individuals involved in the criminal justice process, particularly in cases involving domestic-related offences.

For the wider public, the incident may lead to increased awareness of the importance of reporting sightings of escaped prisoners. The warnings issued by Inspector Hannon about the consequences of assisting Grzyb serve as a reminder that harbouring an escaped prisoner is a serious offence.

Looking ahead, this development could prompt a review of prisoner transport procedures across the UK, particularly in light of similar incidents in recent years. The frequency of such escapes, while relatively rare, may lead to calls for enhanced security measures and better coordination between prison transport contractors and law enforcement agencies.