Twenty-six-year-old Matthew Drew, a Middleton Prison inmate, fled the area in a white 2008 model Holden Rodeo ute with an orange crane on the back.

On Friday afternoon, Victoria Police said the search for Drew was concentrated on Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat.

Drew was arrested late last year and sentenced to jail early this year for offences related to theft, burglary, driving and handling stolen goods.

UPDATE 5pm: A Corrections Victoria spokesperson said prisoners taking part in working groups were assessed as the lowest risk, with many nearing the end of their sentence and preparing for release into the community. 

“Community work crews provide prisoners the opportunity to give something back to the community and prepare themselves for release. They are supervised by prison staff,” the spokesperson said.

“As with all significant incidents, Corrections Victoria will conduct an internal review.”

UPDATE 3pm: Police say they are pouring significant resources in to locate escaped prisoner Matthew Drew, who is believed to be in the Bendigo area.

Inspector Michael Cruse said police believed his escape from a prison working group at Muckleford Railway Station this morning was opportunistic, not planned.

“We have police from the Central Goldfields area, as well as the fugitive taskforce, local detectives and Bendigo police are all currently searching for the male,” he said.

“We’ve also been assisted by the police air wing who have been up today and so far we have been unable to locate the male.”

Drew fled the railway station after stealing a white 2008 Holden Rodeo utlity with the registration YES460. He has not been seen since.

“We don’t believe that he poses a risk to the community, simply that he has escaped [restricted minimum-security prison] and we’re doing everything we can to locate him,” Inspector Cruse said.

“We’re pouring significant resources in to locate him as quickly as possible.”

Police do not know what direction Drew was headed, but believe he might return to Kangaroo Flat or Bendigo, where they are focusing their search efforts.

Inspector Cruse would not comment on the supervision of the working group and said it was a matter for the department of corrections.

A spokesperson for Corrections Victoria said this morning Victoria Police was notified immediately after Drew’s escape and Corrections Victoria was assisting with their investigation. 

Anyone with information or who sights Drew or the vehicle is urged not to approach him but to contact triple-0 immediately.

Corrections Victoria has been contacted for further information.

UPDATE 2.50pm: Police have addressed the media about the search for Drew.

Police are focusing their search efforts on the Kangaroo Flat area.

There have been no sightings.

The fugitive taskforce is en route from Melbourne and the air wing has also been involved.

UPDATE 11.45am: Corrections Victoria has confirmed a 26-year-old man based at Middleton escaped while undertaking community work this morning. 

“Victoria Police was notified immediately and Corrections Victoria is assisting with their investigation,” a spokesperson for Corrections Victoria said.

“Other prisoners in the community work team have been returned to the prison.”

Drew was arrested late last year and sentenced to jail early this year for offences related to theft, burglary, driving and handling stolen goods.

He was also sentenced to prison in 2015 for a burglary at Lockwood Primary School, where he attempted to steal boxes of school equipment and other items.

Middleton is a restricted-minimum security facility holding prisoners classified as restricted-minimum or minimum security. 

EARLIER: POLICE are searching for a Kangaroo Flat man who escaped a prison in Castlemaine this morning.

Matthew Drew, 26, had been at Muckleford Railway Station as part of a Middleton Prison working group when he fled just after 9.30am on Friday.

Investigators believe Drew took off in a white 2008 Holden Rodeo ute with registration YES460, which had been parked nearby.

The ute has an aluminium tray with an orange crane on the back.

Drew was imprisoned for offences related to theft, burglary, driving and handle stolen goods.

Police have released an image of Drew in the hope someone recognises him and can provide information on his current whereabouts.

He is described as Caucasian with green eyes, a thin build and short dark hair.

Anyone with information or who sights Drew or the vehicle is urged not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero immediately.

More to come