A notorious criminal is on the run after breaching his electronic bail on Friday.

Police have issued a warrant to arrest Mathew Kidman for breaching his electronically monitored bail after he absconded three days ago.

He is described as a 35-years-old European who is 187 cm tall and of thin build.

Kidman has been known to be in possession of firearms in the past and police are warning the public not to approach him but to contact 111 immediately with any sightings.

They are also asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Fischer of the Hutt Valley Tactical Crime Unit on (04) 560 2600 or provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In 2008 Kidman was at the centre of two-day manhunt throughout the Hutt Valley by armed police after he was seen with a firearm visiting a house in the Wellington suburb of Naenae.

Over 48 hours he criss-crossed across the valley, including surrounding hills, even using a cart used to pick up golf balls from a golf club to evade capture.

He was on bail for firearms charges at the time and after that incident faced fresh firearms charges.

In 2004 Kidman walked away from the Hawke's Bay Regional Prison joinery workshop while serving a six-year sentence for aggravated robbery.

• 2004: Kidman walks away from prison workshop while serving six year sentence
• 2008: Kidman at centre of two-day manhunt, while on bail, after firearms incident
• 2016: Kidman breaches electronically monitored bail