North Yorkshire Police is urgently appealing for sightings of a man in Harrogate and possibly Middlesbrough who is wanted for breaching his prison release licence.
Ian Marjoram, 46, from York, needs to be arrested and returned to prison as soon as possible.
People are asked not to approach him but instead to call the police immediately on 999.
While it is believed he is or has been in Harrogate for the past few days, there is a possibility that he may have headed to the Middlesbrough area where he has family connections.
Marjoram was released early on licence on 19 April 2013 having served part of a four years and three months sentence for arson to recklessly endanger lives, which occurred at a flat on East Parade, Harrogate, between 13 and 17 January 2011.
The sentence also included a commercial burglary in Harrogate on 16 January 2011 at a café on Valley Drive and failure to surrender to police bail on 6 January 2011.
The Probation Service contacted North Yorkshire Police for assistance after Marjoram failed to return to his address in York on Monday 30 September 2013.
It is believed he travelled to Harrogate and has been staying there.
This, together with failing to reside at his address in York, breached his prison release licence.
Marjoram is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, dark brown hair, medium build and he has blue eyes.
A photograph has been circulated to the media and on Twitter and Facebook.
Chief Inspector Ian Thompson, of the Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Command, said:
To assist our already extensive efforts to trace Ian Marjoram, I am urging residents and people who work in Harrogate and Middlesbrough to keep an eye out for a man matching his description.
Whilst we do not believe he poses a specific danger to the general public, we ask that you do not approach him. You should contact the police straight away on 999 and officers will be despatched to arrest him or investigate the sighting.
Chief Insp Thompson is also appealing directly to Marjoram and anyone who might be helping him to avoid arrest:
Ian, you know you are in the wrong. It is now time to do the right thing and hand yourself in to the police. I am also strongly advising people not to assist him as this is an offence and we will take robust action.
If you have seen Ian Marjoram or have information about his current whereabouts, please dial 999 and pass details to North Yorkshire Police stating the “Ian Marjoram Appeal.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference number 12130170118 and say it is “urgent”.
