Luke Jones
Rapist Luke Jones has gone on the run in Manchester. Greater Manchester Police

A manhunt is underway for a convicted rapist who "could potentially pose a risk to the public" as he disappeared days after he was released from prison on license. Luke Jones, 25, was released on license on 16 September after serving just over three years of an eight year sentence.

Greater Manchester Police said the conditions on his license required him to live at a bail hostel in Bury, but he has absconded.

"It is believed Jones may be currently be somewhere in the Manchester City Centre area and could potentially pose a risk to the public," the force said in a statement. "He should not be approached by any members of the public.

Jones was jailed for eight years in April 2013 after he targeted a woman visiting a friend in Manchester.

The previous September, he offered to walk her to her friend's apartment, but on the way, he pushed her to the ground, put his hand over her mouth and raped her. As she tried to fight him off, he raped her again.

After he was jailed, Det Con Siobhan Emmett told the Manchester Evening News that he had befriended his victim and she had trusted him.

"Instead, he abused her trust and carried out a calculated and wicked act to satisfy his own needs," she said.

GMP Detective Sergeant Steph Parker said they "following a number of lines of enquiry" in their efforts to trace Jones but had so far been unable to find him.

"We believe he may be in the city centre area but it is possible that he could be in other areas of Manchester," she added. "I would urge anybody with information about his whereabouts to contact police. Do not approach him but call police immediately."

Detectives have appealed for anybody with information to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 2149 of 23/09/16, or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.