Canberra prisoner on the run

A Canberra prisoner is on the run after escaping from custody while being treated at a local hospital.

ACT police are searching for 26-year-old Ned Barker, who was in the custody of ACT Corrective Services for theft, property damage and assault when he escaped at Canberra Hospital about 2pm on Tuesday.

Officers are urging witnesses to call police rather than approach Barker, who is described as 172cm tall with short brown hair.