Police are urgently seeking information about an escaped prisoner who is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Lex Miller, 48, escaped from Rangipo-Tongariro Prison near Turangi last week and is believed to be hiding out in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Lex Miller has been on the run since escaping Rangipo-Tongoriro prison last week.

Bay of Plenty district crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Anderson says Miller is considered dangerous and they want to locate him as soon as possible.

Miller is described as European, about 5”8 tall and has sandy brown hair.

He is of medium build and was last seen wearing a tan coloured shirt, blue jeans and white sports shoes, however, he may have changed clothes.

'He is believed to be driving a 1994 Silver Toyota Camry Sedan, with the registration number TC7281.”

Tim says Miller has extended family in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area, particularly around Whakatane, and he may have travelled to this area.

'Equally, he could be anywhere else – at this stage, we are urgently seeking any information relating to his whereabouts, including any potential sightings of him or the car he was driving when he left the prison.

'At this stage we don't have any reason to believe anyone is helping Miller, but we don't believe he has access to any money.”

'He has now been gone for a week so someone, somewhere, must have seen him or his car – knowingly or unknowingly – and we urgently want to hear from you.”

He says Miller was only eight months away from being eligible for parole, so his escape would probably be considered unusual.

Tim says while he is considered dangerous, there are also concerns about his potential state of mind.

'Either way, we want to find him as soon as possible. If you know anything at all about his whereabouts, or have seen anyone who matches his description or the car he was driving, please come forward.”

Tim says Miller was in prison for a cold, calculated attempted murder of his ex-wife.

'In 2008 he was convicted for seven years and eight months for the kidnapping and attempted murder of his ex-wife.

'This was pre-meditated crime which had been carefully planned in the days leading up to the incident.

'This included travelling back from Australia and spending two days preparing the commit the crime, including the purchasing of all the tools he needed.”

On March 4, 2008, Miller hid in the victim's car while she was at work, kidnapping and binding her with masking tape and wrapping tape.

He drove her to an isolated location and then attempted to gas her in the car.

'Remarkably, the victim was able to free her hands using a pair of nail scissors while Miller was out of the car and then managed to get into the driver's seat and drive the car through a gate to seek help.”

Tim is also asking anyone who may be tramping or hunting in the Tongaririo and wider Bay of Plenty area to look out for any abandoned cars in isolated areas.

'Anyone with information can contact their local Police Station or call 111, or provide information anonymously if necessary via the independent Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.”