A CUNNING young offender in a wheelchair has escaped from Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in regional Victoria.

The Herald Sun understands 20-year-old Lachlan Mitchell, who is considered dangerous, was housed in a low security unit after injuring his leg, but managed to flee yesterday as staff looked on.

The wheelchair-bound man obtained some crutches for his escape, took a phone call in an office section of the building, and then hopped to a waiting black ute with registration XAA230 about 2pm. Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Staff at the facility, near Kyneton, thought a colleague was pulling up in the car park until the youth got in and was driven away.

Mitchell is serving a 12 month sentence, imposed on him in March, for serious driving and firearm offences.

A spokesman from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a “client’’ absconded from the minimum security Malmsbury Senior Youth Justice Centre in the afternoon.

“The Department of Health and Human Services is working with Victoria Police to apprehend the client,’’ a spokesman said.

“A full review of the incident will be undertaken.’’

Mitchell is described as caucasian, 175cm tall, medium build with blue eyes and short hair.

Prison sources say there was also a riot at Parkville Youth Justice Centre about midday today.

Sources say the main instigator of the riot in the Oakview section had earlier caused a “code black’’ assault in another area of the building.

Youths are alleged to have armed themselves with metal bars and tools as weapons in the programs unit of the building.

The Community and Public Sector Union said the management of youth justice seemed “completely beyond the Department of Health and Human Services”.