The 68-year-old Hungarian escaped from a mental hospital in Epsom on 8 May and has not been seen since.

When he previously escaped in February 1996 he was located in this country and was extradited back to the UK. It is feared that he could attempt to return and is being described as "potentially dangerous" by the British authorities.

He was captured on CCTV boarding a train to London in the early hours of 8 May but there have been no positive sightings since.

He was sentenced to life in prison after murdering the manager of an employment agency in 1968. He was released under licence in 2005 but breached his bail conditions and will be sent back to jail when he is caught.

Police say he has a condition that may make him violent without taking his medication.

Another side-effect is that he shakes excessively but tries to hide this by putting his hands in his pockets. Varga is 5'8" in height and of slim build. He is clean-shaven with short receding grey hair and brown eyes.

The officer leading the search, detective inspector Mark Daughters, said: "We are taking the direct approach of warning people as we believe Varga to be potentially dangerous". Sightings can be reported to gardai or Surrey police at 0044 845 125 2222.