07/07/2015
Most Wanted Billboard Touring Ex-Pat 'Hot Spots'
A digital billboard showing the faces of Britain's Most Wanted fugitives is being toured around ex-pat 'hot spots' in Spain.
The campaign, launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers, is the latest push in to track down the latest 18 suspects wanted Operation Captura.
The fugitives are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including murder, rape, indecent assault of a child and drug trafficking.
They are believed to be hiding among British communities in popular ex-pat areas – including Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus.
The digital screen, attached to the back of a van, is touring all these areas and parking outside nightclubs, bars, British supermarkets and restaurants.
It is hoped that going direct to the fugitives' back yards and putting their faces in plain sight will help to flush them out.
Steve Reynolds, NCA Deputy Director, said: "We've caught 68 out of 86 fugitives on the Captura list and the rest know we won't stop until we catch them too.
"By taking our campaign directly into Spanish communities where we believe they are living and socialising, their lives will become even more uncomfortable. We want British expats and locals to help us by being extra eyes and ears and telling us what they know.
"These fugitives are wanted for serious crimes. Anyone who is helping them stay on the run, such as girlfriends, wives, family members back home, or criminal associates, should know that assisting them is an offence too.
"There may also be people in the UK with vital information on the whereabouts of these fugitives and we would urge them to get in touch."
Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, added: "This is something that we have never done before but we believe that broadcasting these fugitives' faces right in their back yards will not only encourage the public to speak up but show these individuals that there really is nowhere to hide.
"There will be no avoiding the faces on this screen – they'll be broadcast in all the popular ex-pat areas.
"I would urge anyone who recognises any of those faces to contact Crimestoppers anonymously. We don't take personal details and you won't have to give a statement or go to court.
"Many of these fugitives are currently living a life of leisure funded by serious crime. They cannot be allowed to hide forever, they must be brought to justice. Do the right thing and help us find them."
(MH)
The campaign, launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers, is the latest push in to track down the latest 18 suspects wanted Operation Captura.
The fugitives are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including murder, rape, indecent assault of a child and drug trafficking.
They are believed to be hiding among British communities in popular ex-pat areas – including Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus.
The digital screen, attached to the back of a van, is touring all these areas and parking outside nightclubs, bars, British supermarkets and restaurants.
It is hoped that going direct to the fugitives' back yards and putting their faces in plain sight will help to flush them out.
Steve Reynolds, NCA Deputy Director, said: "We've caught 68 out of 86 fugitives on the Captura list and the rest know we won't stop until we catch them too.
"By taking our campaign directly into Spanish communities where we believe they are living and socialising, their lives will become even more uncomfortable. We want British expats and locals to help us by being extra eyes and ears and telling us what they know.
"These fugitives are wanted for serious crimes. Anyone who is helping them stay on the run, such as girlfriends, wives, family members back home, or criminal associates, should know that assisting them is an offence too.
"There may also be people in the UK with vital information on the whereabouts of these fugitives and we would urge them to get in touch."
Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers, added: "This is something that we have never done before but we believe that broadcasting these fugitives' faces right in their back yards will not only encourage the public to speak up but show these individuals that there really is nowhere to hide.
"There will be no avoiding the faces on this screen – they'll be broadcast in all the popular ex-pat areas.
"I would urge anyone who recognises any of those faces to contact Crimestoppers anonymously. We don't take personal details and you won't have to give a statement or go to court.
"Many of these fugitives are currently living a life of leisure funded by serious crime. They cannot be allowed to hide forever, they must be brought to justice. Do the right thing and help us find them."
(MH)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 April 2014
UK Most Wanted Fugitives In Cyprus
The National Crime Agency and Crimestoppers have launched a new search to find eleven of the UK's most-wanted fugitives reported to be in Cyprus, publishing a list of mugshots. Some of the criminals are wanted for crimes as rape, drug dealing, voyeurism, fraud holiday fraud and tax evasion.
UK Most Wanted Fugitives In Cyprus
The National Crime Agency and Crimestoppers have launched a new search to find eleven of the UK's most-wanted fugitives reported to be in Cyprus, publishing a list of mugshots. Some of the criminals are wanted for crimes as rape, drug dealing, voyeurism, fraud holiday fraud and tax evasion.
16 August 2012
HMRC Publish List Of Most-Wanted Tax Fugitives
A list of the 20 most-wanted tax dodgers, who fled the UK while owing the Treasury millions, has been published in an appeal for help to track them down. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published the names and pictures of the fugitives for the first time.
HMRC Publish List Of Most-Wanted Tax Fugitives
A list of the 20 most-wanted tax dodgers, who fled the UK while owing the Treasury millions, has been published in an appeal for help to track them down. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published the names and pictures of the fugitives for the first time.
27 June 2014
Suspected British Drug Dealer Held In Spain
Christopher Mealey, who is wanted in the UK as part of a probe into an alleged £25 million-a-year cocaine ring, has been arrested by armed Spanish National Police in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol on Monday night. Officers from the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police were also involved in the arrest of the 38-year-old.
Suspected British Drug Dealer Held In Spain
Christopher Mealey, who is wanted in the UK as part of a probe into an alleged £25 million-a-year cocaine ring, has been arrested by armed Spanish National Police in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol on Monday night. Officers from the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police were also involved in the arrest of the 38-year-old.
06 August 2015
Fugitive Arrested After Returning To UK From Spain
One of the UK's most wanted criminals has been arrested after returning to the UK from Spain. 47-year-old Anthony Dennis was wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking offences outside the UK and conspiracy to import class A drugs.
Fugitive Arrested After Returning To UK From Spain
One of the UK's most wanted criminals has been arrested after returning to the UK from Spain. 47-year-old Anthony Dennis was wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking offences outside the UK and conspiracy to import class A drugs.
13 May 2015
Police Appeal For Help Tracing Man Wanted In Connection With Assault
Merseyside Police have appealed for help in tracing 21-year-old, Perry Thomas Culshaw, who is wanted in connection with an assault on Wednesday 22 April. Police wanted to speak to him in relation to an assault on Moss Lane/ Anderson Road, when a man was assaulted as he sat in the back of a car.
Police Appeal For Help Tracing Man Wanted In Connection With Assault
Merseyside Police have appealed for help in tracing 21-year-old, Perry Thomas Culshaw, who is wanted in connection with an assault on Wednesday 22 April. Police wanted to speak to him in relation to an assault on Moss Lane/ Anderson Road, when a man was assaulted as he sat in the back of a car.