A man who police say 'can be violent' and has links across London is being searched for by the Met.

Balasankar Narayanan absconded from an Ilford facility while on escorted leave on Monday (March 20).

The wanted man was wearing a plain navy blue tracksuit with black trainers.

READ MORE: Two east London men jailed after attempting to blow up ATM machines

READ MORE: Family of serial killer's victim call for public inquiry into 'homophobic' Met Police

The 35-year-old's London links include Newham, Greenford, Hammersmith, Highgate and Ilford, as well as the West Midlands.

Police have made extensive enquiries to locate Narayan and those enquiries are ongoing.

For the latest crime news in east London, join our East London Crime Watch group on Facebook.

Officers suspect he may be travelling by rail and urge any staff and travellers to report any sightings of him immediately.

It is believed he could potentially be anywhere in the country.

According to the Met, he can be violent. Members of the public are asked not to approach him but to call the police, quoting ref 22MIS009098.