HELICOPTERS have joined the manhunt for a Hampshire paedophile who is on the run after escaping from a psychiatric unit in the county.

Stephen Munden from Marchwood, who was described as having a “fanatical obsession” with small girls after he targeted a toddler on a bus, has been missing for 48 hours.

The 54-year-old, who was detained under the Mental Health Act, was last seen leaving Mildmay Oaks independent hospital in Winchfield, near Hook, on Tuesday, 21 April but he failed to return.

It has emerged that Munden climbed over a fence and left the hospital grounds on foot.

Now officers have been carrying out extensive searches, including using the police helicopter, and making other enquiries in the area. They have also been following up on many calls from members of the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Rowlandson said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to those people who have already phoned in with possible sightings and information in relation to this investigation.

"Please be reassured that we’re following up on all lines of enquiry.

“We continue to appeal for people to keep an eye out for Mr Munden and if they see him to report it to us as soon as possible.

“We also make a direct appeal to Mr Munden. I know you are vulnerable, so please contact us him as soon as possible.”

It comes after they launched an appeal to track him down and are urging members of the public who had seen him to call them immediately.

Mr Munden is described as about 5ft 8ins tall, of a heavy build, and has dark hair It is believed that Munden, who suffers from learning difficulties, may have shaved off his full beard before leaving the hospital in Winchfield, at around 6.15pm on Tuesday.

He was was detained at the facility under a hospital order following his sentence last August for sexual offences.

Munden was convicted of sexually touching a child under the age of 13, when he deliberately sat near the three-year-old girl and stroked her hand with his finger - in full view of the girl's mother and grandmother.

Munden, formerly of Brittany Gardens, in Marchwood, denied the offence, claiming it was accidental when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court.

During the sentencing David Jenkins, prosecuting, told Judge Peter Henry that the defendant had admitted ten unrelated offences of possessing or attempting to possess indecent images of children.

The court heard he had been arrested after using one of the public computers at Hythe library in an attempt to download images, the court heard.

Mr Jenkins said children's clothes, books and dolls were found at Munden's home and added: “He has a fanatical obsession with young girls.”

Consultant physiatrist John O'Shea said the defendant was autistic and also suffered from mild learning difficulties.

He added that Munden had difficulty controlling his sexual interest in small children but the girl on the bus was probably unaware of his intentions.

Keely Harvey, in mitigation, said: “He did not accept that he deliberately touched the child's hand.”

But the judge said “the move from non-contact offences to a contact offence is significant” and he was made the subject of a hospital order.

Appealing for help to find him, Detective Chief Inspector Tim Rowlandson today said: “We are extremely keen to hear from anyone who has seen this man since or knows where he might be.

“Mr Munden is subject to a hospital order after being convicted and sentenced for sexual offences and also suffers from learning difficulties, so we need to know where he is as a matter of urgency. I would also appeal to Mr Munden direct to make contact with us and let us know where he is.”

If you see him, know where he is or have any information which could help locate him, please call police on 101.