A "dangerous" prisoner who is on the run after he escaped from hospital may have had assistance, police believe.
Michal Kisier, 30, was receiving treatment at Salisbury District Hospital for a head wound when he gave guards the slip on Tuesday evening, Wiltshire Police said.
Kisier is believed to have a razor blade in his possession and is considered to be dangerous, with the public advised not to approach him for their own safety.
Extensive searches are being carried out with officers using drones, police dogs, and the force helicopter to try and locate the fugitive.
Detectives are investigating whether his escape was pre-planned and if he had help from others.
Kisier's real name is Michal Kisiel and he sometimes uses the spelling Michael.
"The search for Kisiel continues and we are exploring a number of leads, particularly looking at transport routes out of the city and liaison with our surrounding forces," police said on Wednesday.
"A key line of inquiry is the fact that this may well have been a pre-planned escape and Kisiel may have had assistance."
He is described as white, 5ft 6in tall with blonde hair and of medium build with tattoos on his neck.
He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black t-shirt with blue trainers.
"The public are advised not to approach him for their own safety. If anyone sees a man matching the description they should call 999 immediately," police added.
Inspector Martyn Sweett said: "My officers are doing everything they can to find Kisier and we will keep the community updated.
"We ask that the public are vigilant and call us on 999 with any sightings but it is important that you do not approach him."
Kisier, who escaped at 7pm on Tuesday, still needs treatment for his head wound, police added.
Kisier, formerly of Luton, was serving a five-year sentence at HMP Erlestoke, a category C prison holding adult male sentenced offenders near Devizes.
He was jailed in April 2016 after subjecting a mother and her teenage daughter to a "terrifying eight-hour ordeal" following a disagreement over money.
Kisier, who is originally from Poland, kept the two women prisoner in their home, taping the daughter to a chair and threatening to kill them, Luton Crown Court heard.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of false imprisonment, two charges of possessing bladed articles and one charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. He was jailed for five years and three months.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said: "A prisoner from HMP Erlestoke has escaped while on an escorted hospital visit on Tuesday May 30.
"We are working closely with the police and are urgently investigating the matter. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."