RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans is to tackle Greater Manchester's police chief over the "bizarre" way officers have handled the case of missing Calderstones patient Andrew Sutcliffe.

The pledge came as the force issued a picture of the teenager and an appeal for help in finding him, more than five weeks after he absconded -- and two days after they said they had found him.

Earlier this week the Manchester force said the 18-year-old Calderstones patient, who had been referred to the hospital's medium secure unit by the courts, had been located by them at a relative's house.

He went missing on July 11 during a supervised visit to his mother's house in Burnage, Manchester.

They said would not be returning him to the hospital because they were happy he was safe and well, even though they had not seen him. But last night they said he had still not been "technically found."

A spokesman said: "We are conducting inquiries to trace Andrew Sutcliffe."

Inspector Craig Thompson, for Greater Manchester Police, added: "In conjunction with Lancashire Constabulary we are conducting inquiries to trace Andrew Sutcliffe."

"GMP officers are speaking regularly to Andrew's family and representatives of the hospital. An officer has spoken to Andrew via a mobile phone and it would appear that he is in regular contact with his family who state he is safe and in good health."

He said today that at no stage had Andrew Sutcliffe been technically "found" and added: "On several occasions he has been seen by an officer and run off. Our local officer, who knows him, is looking for him and is trying to apprehend him on a daily basis."

The force said earlier this week that it was not aware the patient had been referred to the hospital by the courts and had not told Calderstones he had been found because he was still "technically" missing.

Bosses at the hospital have still not been informed that the patient has been "found."

Mr Evans said today: "I am alarmed at the lack of co-operation of Manchester police."

He added that he would be getting in touch with the force's chief of police with a copy of the front page of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph which broke the story about the confusion.

The patient was referred to the hospital last September and was due to be released on September 3. Mr Evans added: "Whether or not Andrew should be sent back to Calderstones isn't a decision the police should be taking," Mr Evans said. "Andrew needs help and support and this has to be done through the court procedures.

"He was due to go out on September 3 but there is extra support available to him then that he is otherwise not going to get. It could jeopardise the good work Calderstones has done with him."

He added there were bound to be incidents at somewhere like Calderstones. "My role is to keep abreast of things so that we can reassure the public that they have nothing to worry about. They do a lot of good work," Mr Evans said.

Police are asking anybody with information or Andrew himself to contact Elizabeth Slinger Road Police Station on 0161 856 6121/2.