All points bulletin for escaped prisoners

Two prisoners who escaped from New Plymouth prison on Saturday are likely to have left the city, police say.

William Mosen and Frank Walker broke out of the central city prison about 12.20pm.

Mosen -- who is considered dangerous -- is from Wanganui and Walker is from Whangarei. As out-of-towners, police considered it likely they would be heading out of Taranaki, Senior Sergeant Selwyn Wansbrough, of New Plymouth police, told NZPA today.

"We'll be putting out an all points bulletin for them. Mosen in particular, with his tattoos, is quite distinctive."

Mosen has the word "Nazi" tattooed on his shaved skull and a stylised swastika tattooed on his neck. He is a 21-year-old European, 1.73m tall and of slim build.

Walker is a 21-year-old fair-skinned Maori, 1.88m tall, of slim build with black hair that is curly on top.

Midland prisons regional manager Peter Grant said yesterday there would be a full internal investigation into the escape.

- NZPA