Police are warning the public not to approach a man who has gone missing from a hospital in London’s East End where he was having mental health treatment.

They are searching for 21-year-old Sherdil Khan Niazi who was last seen at 4.30pm yesterday at Mile End Hospital, off Mile End Road.

“Sherdil has mental health issues and was receiving treatment before he went missing,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said. “He should not be approached by the public.”

Sherdil is described as Asian, originally from Afghanistan, about 5ft 7ins tall with a medium build, dark or black hair, brown eyes, a long nose and light beard and moustache.

He was last seen at the hospital in Bancroft Road, near Stepney green Underground station, wearing a dark blue ‘bomber’-type waistcoat, short sleeve light blue and white check shirt, blue jeans and trainers.

Police are urging anyone who sees Sherdil or has information on his whereabouts to dial 999 or Missing People on 116000.