Public warned to stay away from escapees from mental health facility

Morgan Hamiora-Smith , left, and Benjamin Thomas Manuel. Photo / supplied

Two men with a history of violence have escaped from a Waikato mental health facility.

Benjamin Thomas Manuel, 28, Morgan Hamiora-Smith, 21, scaled a fence at Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre in Hamilton yesterday and are believed to have hitch-hiked out of the city over night.

The public are being warned not to approach them.

The pair were reported absent without leave from the Selwyn St centre around 9.20pm last night, Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly of the Waikato District Command Centre said.

"Both men were being treated as in-patients under mental health legislation before they absconded," he said.

"The pair were reported to police as having climbed a fence at the centre and fled, and were seen walking down Selwyn St and then Alison St. Both had red school backpack bags on their backs."

Reports from members of the public who encountered the pair, suggest they intended to hitch-hike out of Hamilton overnight, possibly heading to Thames, Mr O'Reilly said.

Manuel is described as Maori of medium build and about 172cm tall, while Hamiora-Smith is described as Maori, of medium build and about 180cm tall.

"Both are known to have contacts throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with Manuel having links to the Whakatane, Kawerau and Tokoroa areas," Mr O'Reilly said.

"Advice from medical staff suggest neither man poses specific risk to the public, however both have a history of violence and police advise the public not to approach them but to ring 111 if they are seen."