A POLICE boss has said his team of officers are continuing to be "relentless" in their search for an man who has been on the run for more than ten days.

Alex Potter is wanted by police in connection with an assault in Colchester city centre on Saturday, April 13 which left a man in hospital.

Police arrested Bibi Stone on the day of the assault before she subsequently admitted causing grievous bodily harm, burglary and criminal damage.

Though Stone, 38, will be sentenced next month, Potter has not yet been found and has managed to evade the authorities for a week and a half.

Gazette: Wanted – Alex Stone has been on the run for more than a weekWanted – Alex Stone has been on the run for more than a week (Image: Essex Police)

Chief constable of Essex Police BJ Harrington told the Gazette on Tuesday they will not give up in their pursuit of Potter.

He said: “When people don't want to be found, they go to ground - they go to ground in the community.

“People hide them, and family and friends will assist them.

“Our search is relentless, we don't give up, and very often if they go abroad, they come back and are greeted by police on the steps of an aircraft.

“People are devious and rely on people who, misguidedly, are trying to help them."

Mr Harrington added part of the force’s role in tracking an assailant involves searching ports to prevent suspects leaving the country.

He said: “We put port notifications in place if we think they are going abroad – that includes places like Harwich, Dover, and the Euro tunnel.

“In any case, what we can do is work with Interpol through the national crime agency – that’s how we get the signal out there.”

Gazette: Investigation – police cordoned off St John's Green as part of their enquiriesInvestigation – police cordoned off St John's Green as part of their enquiries (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Telephone logs can also be used to find who suspects may have contacted before or after an incident, Mr Harrington added.

“We look to see if they have got a number we can access, which numbers they dial, and we can see who they were in contact with before or after.

“Telephone calls log to a mast, so we can find where they have left a digital footprint.”

Police have warned the public not to approach Potter if they see him; they should instead dial 999 and quote number 470 of April 13.