Extra security checks are being carried out at the Port of Dover, which has warned of delays, amid an ongoing effort to track down an escaped terrorism suspect.

Former soldier Daniel Abed Khalife broke out of prison on Wednesday morning by clinging onto a delivery van.

He is accused of planting a fake bomb and gathering information that might be useful to terrorists or enemies of the UK, but denies all charges.

Khalife, went missing in his cook’s uniform from HMP Wandsworth, which is a category B prison - the second highest level of security.

The prisoner was on remand awaiting a November 13 trial at Woolwich Crown Court in relation to terrorism and Official Secrets Act offences.

Khalife was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, red and white chequered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots.

Met Police have issued an urgent appeal to the public to help trace the 21-year-old, who is described as being around 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build, with short brown hair.

Having links to Kingston, officers believe he likely remains in the London area, but may have travelled further afield by now and an all ports alert has been issued across the country sparking delays at UK airports and other ports including Dover and the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We have a team of officers who are making extensive and urgent enquiries in order to locate and detain Khalife as quickly as possible.

“However, the public can help us as well and should anyone see Khalife, or have any information as to where he might be, then please call 999 or the immediately.

“I also want to reassure the public that we have no information which indicates, nor any reason to believe that Khalife poses a threat to the wider public, but our advice if you do see him is not to approach him and call 999 straight away.”

Police also confirmed an alert was issued by the Counter Terrorism Command earlier today in relation to Khalife through established operational briefing channels to relevant UK police and law enforcements agencies, including those at UK ports and borders.

The Port of Dover has released a statement warning delays are to be expected as a result of guards performing “enhanced checks” on all outbound traffic.

“Due to a police matter, there are currently enhanced checks on outbound traffic at the Port of Dover and other portals within the UK,” said the message.

“Please be advised this is currently resulting in some delays at the Port.

“However, our standard travel guidance remains unchanged and we will keep passengers updated if they can expect any alteration to their journey.”

If seen, the public are advised not to approach Khalife and to call 999 immediately, quoting reference CAD 1631/06SEP23.