Police have apprehended 40-year-old Tolka Tongel, who had escaped from Athalassa psychiatric hospital, where he was being treated.

Police said Tongel was serving a 30-month sentence, imposed by the Larnaca district court, for offences that include burglary and theft.

The escape was reported at 11am on Saturday, however the convict may have escaped earlier.

Reporter sources said central prison guards were responsible for guarding him, not the police.

Police are investigating how the inmate escaped.