Lower Hutt police hunt District Court escapee

File photo / NZ Herald

Armed police are hunting for a man who escaped from Lower Hutt District Court this afternoon.

Matthew George Kidman was in custody and due to appear in court today, but escaped about 2.30pm.

Hutt Valley area commander Inspector Mike Hill said police were searching Queensgate Mall and the central city for Kidman or associates who may have helped him escape.

Kidman was arrested last night.

Mr Hill said he did not know how Kidman escaped.

Westfield New Zealand's PR manager Deb McGhie told APNZ that police searched Queensgate mall in Lower Hutt, but Kidman was not there.

It was understood he had left in a taxi.

Ms McGhie said the mall did not have to be evacuated at any stage.

"The safety of the shoppers will always of course be our priority but at no time were we advised or required to leave the centre.''

She said Kidman had not been at the mall.