Villawood detainee Paea Tau on the run after stabbing Border Force worker in van en route to airport

Police have searched a southwest Sydney home for a runaway immigration detainee who continues to evade authorities after stabbing two security guards.

Police have searched a southwest Sydney home this afternoon for a runaway immigration detainee who continues to evade authorities after stabbing two security guards.

The detainee, who had overstayed his visa, allegedly used a shiv made from nail clippers to stab two guards and escape as they drove him to be deported at Sydney Airport.

Tongan national Paea Teu, 28, allegedly launched a surprise attack on the guards and escaped custody on Thursday morning, sparking an internal review and a nationwide suspension of detainees being transported or escorted.

About 2.30pm Friday, police searched a home on Duncansby Crs in the outer-west Sydney suburb of St Andrews.

“Officers attached to Campbelltown Police Area Command – assisted by the Dog Unit – established a perimeter before entering the home; however, the man could not be found,” police said.

Teu did not have a criminal record and is understood to have been classified as a “low-risk” detainee, resulting in him not being handcuffed or restrained for the journey to the airport.

Australian Border Force also carried out a risk assessment on the detainee prior to transporting him.

Police have released this picture of the detainee — Paea Teu. Picture: Facebook

Police investigating the scene. Picture Thomas Lisson

A Tongan national is on the run in Sydney’s west after stabbing a Border Force contractor. Picture: Thomas Lisson

It is understood Teu was sitting in the back row of seats in the Kia Carnival, with one of the guards, aged 36, driving and another, aged 54, sitting in the middle row of seats.

Not long after leaving Villawood he allegedly pulled out the shiv, fashioned from the metal nail file on a pair of clippers, which he used to attack the first guard in the middle seats.

After a struggle of close to 20 minutes, Teu attempted to escape out the side passenger door, but was unable to open them because of the child lock and so jumped into the front seats where he allegedly attacked the driver.

The van being toned from the scene. Picture Thomas Lisson

That guard was finally forced to pull over, where Teu managed to run away.

Secure Journeys, run by MTC Australia, took over the contract for Villawood Immigration Detention Centre earlier this month, and was in charge of the escort.

The car where the men were stabbed. Picture: Thomas Lisson

CCTV from James Ruse Drive at Clyde captured the moment Teu was last seen sprinting away from the vehicle at 3.40am, sparking a major manhunt involving NSW Police and the ABF.

“This was obviously a violent offence that’s occurred, so we do ask members of the public to be wary if they believe they see him and contact us, not to approach him,” NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasson said.

“When he was last seen, he was wearing a dark jacket, dark pants, and black and white sneakers.

“We are working closely with the Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs as this investigation progresses.”

Two men were found with stab wounds in this Kia van in Clyde on Thursday morning. Picture: Today/Nine

The 54-year-old guard suffered wounds to his neck, face and hands, and underwent surgery for his injuries at Westmead Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

“He’s obviously shaken up … they’ve never had another incident like this,” a source said.

“They were trying to detain him for close to 20 minutes.

“It wasn’t until they got out of the car they realised he had been stabbed and was bleeding.”

Secure Journeys refused to comment on escort protocols when contacted by the Telegraph.

It is understood an Australian Border Force internal review of the incident will assess transport procedures and measures taken to mitigate against risks.

Blood splatter inside the car of an alleged stabbing of two border force contractors. Picture: Thomas Lisson

While the transportation of detainees has been suspended across the country following the incident, it is understood exemptions are provided on a case-by-case basis.

An ABF spokesman said the organisation was working closely with Home Affairs and NSW Police on the case.

The car the detainee escaped from. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“The department does not comment on individual cases,” the spokesman said.

“Any attack on workers carrying out their jobs is abhorrent.

“The ABF supports all its staff and service providers, especially those who are subjected to abuse and assault while trying to do their jobs.”

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Originally published as Villawood detainee Paea Tau on the run after stabbing Border Force worker in van en route to airport