Prisoners escape from court

Police are hunting two men who escaped from Lower Hutt District Court while they were appearing on burglary charges today.

Senior Sergeant Warren Harris of Lower Hutt police said about 4pm the men overpowered a prisoner escort officer before fleeing.

No one was injured in the incident.

Details of the two prisoners were unable to be immediately released, Mr Harris said.

Police were also conducting inquiries at the district court to establish how the men managed to escape.

Mr Harris said the incident was unrelated to the earlier capture of a suspected bank robber in Petone.

- NZPA