Police swarmed the Queen Elizabeth Hospital today as a suspect escaped custody and fled outside A&E, sparking a major manhunt. A 32-year-old man had been receiving treatment at the Selly Oak hospital when he went missing his morning, Sunday, August 3. It was reported that hospital staff told how officers were about to place handcuffs on the suspect, but he escaped. Since the incident at around 9.30am, officers have been searching for the man - who is wanted on recall to prison. Read more: Police issue urgent message for VW Golf driver as Birmingham cabbie fights for life after 3am crash He had been arrested on suspicion of shop theft, West Midlands Police said. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the man, who was not named, has been urged to call 999. A full statement from West Midlands Police read: "Shortly after 9.30am today (Sun), a man who had been arrested has escaped from lawful custody while receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. "Officers are currently searching for the 32-year-old who is wanted on recall to prison and is suspected of shop theft. "People with information about his whereabouts should contact us by ringing 999 quoting log number 658 of 3 August." Dozens of police officers raced to the hospital minutes after the alarm was sounded, with five police cars parked up next to the Heritage Building at one stage during the hunt. Several more were spotted driving slowly around the perimeter, looking for the escapee. A drone unit and police dogs have been on hand to aid the search. A helicopter was also seen around the hospital, the Mirror reported. A hospital employee told the Mirror how he took his chance to escape. The witness, who did not want to be named, said: "They [police] had arrested someone and were about to put him in the police van outside Accident and Emergency. "They were going to put him in handcuffs but he saw his opportunity and legged it. "The police have been searching for the last half an hour."