Crimestoppers hunts for 18 fugitives in Spanish resorts
SOLARPIX.COM
A 13-feet high digital screen broadcasting the faces of 18 of Britain’s most wanted fugitives is on tour around top holiday hotspots in Spain in a first-of-a kind operation to flush them out of hiding.
It’s the latest push by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency to track down the 18 remaining individuals wanted as part of Operation Captura.
The fugitives, believed to be hiding in beach resorts popular with ex-pats, including Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including murder, rape, indecent assault of a child and drug trafficking.
The digital screen, attached to the back of a van, is touring all these areas and parking outside nightclubs, bars, British supermarkets and restaurants.
Crimestoppers said it hoped that by broadcasting the criminals’ faces ‘in their own backyards’ will help to flush them out. Founder Lord Ashcroft said: "Operation Captura has proved a huge success since it was launched in 2006 and the majority of individuals on our most wanted list have been captured.
"However, there are still a number of criminals who are evading arrest. We must ensure these individuals are brought to justice."
NCA deputy director Steve Reynolds added: "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."
A fresh appeal in March this year saw three fugitives captured within weeks.
Convicted killer Shane Walford, 38, from Coventry, was detained in the Canary Islands in March; suspected drug dealer Paul Monk, 54, from Romford, Essex was arrested in April at his home in Alicante; and another drug dealer, Jason McDonald, 37, originally from Bristol, was picked up by police at an apartment in Amsterdam hours.
Crimestoppers and the NCA work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Madrid and with British and Spanish law enforcement agencies as part of the campaign.
For people calling from Spain there is a freephone Spanish number 900 555 111 which will be answered in the UK by Crimestoppers. People can also pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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