A MAJOR police hunt is under way today for one of Hampshire's most wanted "creeper" burglars who is on the run - for the second time.

Officers have stepped up their bid to track down Michael Tutt who fled from police custody three days ago.

The 24-year-old was in jail on remand for burglary and robbery offences and was being transported to Eastleigh police station.

But despite being handcuffed Tutt managed to give officers the slip and flee and has not been seen since.

Today the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal it is the second time police have been forced to hunt for Tutt.

In 2004 Hampshire Police issued a nationwide appeal for help in tracing burglar Tutt, who had been branded The Creeper for his habit of creeping into people's homes through unsecured back doors while they slept at night.

Forces around the country were issued with pictures of him, as detectives believed he was offending across the UK, while a special operation called Operation Lizard was set up to find him.

When he was eventually captured in October 2004, Tutt had committed more than 30 burglaries across the county in a little over a year, predominantly in Chandler's Ford and Hedge End.

In total he is thought to have stolen more than £10,000 of belongings during that crime spree, while racking up thousands more on credit cards he took during the raids.

He was subsequently jailed at Southampton Crown Court for three years, with the court hearing how he also had previous convictions for robbery, deception, handling stolen goods, burglary and taking vehicles without consent.

Tutt, from Swanmore, managed to escape from the police shortly after 10.30am last Friday as he was being removed from a van at Eastleigh Police Station for questioning.

He was last seen in the Cranbury Road area of the town.

He had been taken there from Winchester Prison to be interviewed in connection with several vehicle crimes he is alleged to have committed.

Dozens of police officers were immediately sent to the area after he ran off, while door to door enquires continued throughout the day, but so far he is yet to be detained.

Detectives hunting for Tutt are now appealing for a woman motorist who might hold vital clues to his disappearance to get in touch.

The female was driving along Cranbury Road as Tutt fled from officers, at around 10.40am.

He tried to get in the car, in which she was driving with children, but instead decided to carry on running.

Police are now urgently appealing for the woman to contact them, saying it is likely she holds vital information for their investigation.

A police spokesman said Tutt was not considered dangerous to the public, but appealed for anyone who sees him to immediately alert the force by calling 999.

He is described as 5ft 10in, slim build, spikey hair and with several tattoos on his arms and back. He was wearing a blue-grey T-shirt and light blue jeans.

The spokesman added: "We would urge Mr Tutt to let police know of his whereabouts and to hand himself in.

"We would also appeal to any member of the public who sees him to call 999 immediately."