POLICE are hunting a former member of a sledgehammer-wielding gang which stole £1.3million from banks and post offices.

Merseyside Police are appealing for information from members of the public which could help them find Ian Stewart.

The 55 year-old, from Liverpool, is wanted on recall to prison for breach of his license conditions.

Stewart has links to Warrington, Runcorn and across the Liverpool area, and the force says he breached the conditions following his release after serving a sentence for conspiracy to commit robbery.

He was one of six gang members jailed for a total of 83 years in May 2016 after 22 banks and post offices were broken into.

Liverpool Crown Court heard shocked staff were left ‘petrified’ when the gang burst through the roofs, walls and doors of branches.

Most of the premises targeted were in the Liverpool area, however one included the now closed NatWest bank in Stockton Heath, when sledgehammer-armed robbers stole £64,000.

Stewart admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

He is described as being around 5ft 7in tall, proportionate build, brown eyes and short hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police the Merseyside Police Contact Centre Facebook page, on Twitter @MerpolSthSefton or by calling 101, quoting reference 22000692352.

You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org