Man who escaped from prison is arrested by armed police in Waterlooville

A MAN who became the subject of a cross-county police hunt after escaping from prison has been arrested by armed officers in Waterlooville.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the arrest of Brian Chapman, 39, shortly after 5pm.

Chapman became the subject of a Sussex Police appeal on Tuesday after absconding from HMP Ford, near Arundel, West Sussex.

placeholder image
Read More
Festival Place: Hampshire shopping centre evacuated and 100m cordon set up after...
HMP Ford, in Hampshire. Picture: Google Street Viewplaceholder image
HMP Ford, in Hampshire. Picture: Google Street View

Known to have links to Hampshire, police said he may have fled via Ford Railway Station which is about a mile away.

News archives show a man of the same name, who was 26 at the time, escaped from a courtroom in 2007.

The defendant had been given a toilet break and was hunted by police after he disappeared.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice