A suspected burglar was today being hunted by police after escaping from his hospital bed and running off.

The 22-year-old Asian man, who had apparently taken a beating from neighbours after allegedly being caught breaking into a house, made off from Bradford Royal Infirmary and made off towards the Manningham area barefoot and wearing hospital-issue pyjamas, police said.

He had been treated for injuries sustained after he was picked up by police outside a house in Princeville Street, Lidget Green.

Officers were called to the address at 1am on Thursday where they found the man, bleeding from facial injuries.

Three men, who were neighbours in the street, were arrested and interviewed in connection with a charge of wounding.

They have now been released on police bail.

Detective Constable Mark Long, of Bradford North police, said: "The man's injuries were less serious than first anticipated. They seemed very serious at first but it turned out he had a chipped tooth and a fractured nose. He was detained at Bradford Royal Infirmary but had not been arrested. He has run away from the hospital in his pyjamas.

"We know who he is, and inquiries are going on to catch up with him."