Closing in on Britain's Costa crooks

UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), are once again closing in on Britain's most wanted known to be on the run in Spain. Ten new appeals, including some of the UK's most dangerous child sex offenders, are launched today in Malaga, an area with a large British ex-patriate community where these criminals could be hiding. [23 September 2009]

The successful multi-agency campaign, Operation Captura, identifies serious criminals on the run wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK. Since the campaign launched in October 2006, 23 out of 40 criminals have been arrested; many are now serving long prison sentences for their crimes which range from drug trafficking to sex crimes to murder.

Crimestoppers and SOCA work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in Madrid, British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European arrest warrants issued against them. Information given to Crimestoppers can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out by the Spanish police.

Operation Captura is primarily an online campaign working through the ‘Most Wanted' section of the Crimestoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org where the public can view images of the individuals wanted by law enforcement.

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “The public response to the campaign so far has gone way beyond our expectations in locating criminals and we hope that this continues with the latest batch of appeals. It makes me immensely proud as the founder of Crimestoppers that we are now having such a significant impact on an international scale.”

Dave Cording, Director of Operations, added: “These appeals include some very nasty individuals and crimes, and we need you, the public, to help us put them behind bars where they belong. Please don't approach these individuals as they are known to be dangerous but if you recognise any of them or know where they may be located please contact Crimestoppers immediately; all information is taken in total anonymity.”

International Director for SOCA, David Armond, said: “SOCA aims to combat the harm caused by criminals who seek refuge living within our communities. Through our collaboration with Crimestoppers and our Spanish law enforcement partners, we have been able to extend this influence to the ex-pat communities of Spain and together we are seeing great success bringing criminals back to the UK to face justice for their crimes.”

Dame Denise Holt, British Ambassador to Spain said: “Ten new criminals who we think are hiding out on the Costa's have been identified. The public and media response to the ongoing Captura campaign has been incredibly effective so far. We're looking for your continuing help in putting these individuals behind bars where they belong.”

If people are calling from Spain there is a special freephone Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number which will be answered in the UK by Crimestoppers' call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the online Giving Information form on Crimestoppers' website.

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To obtain mugshots and arrange interviews with Crimestoppers spokespeople contact Crimestoppers' press office. 

Notes to editors

• It is estimated that there are around one million UK ex-patriates living in Spain.
• Since Operation Captura went live 61% of the featured criminals have been arrested in Spain.
• Posters and beermats bearing the name ‘I Spy' have been circulated to bars and restaurants in the Costa del Sol region of Spain.
• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information' form via our website.
• Around 19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every four days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 91,000 arrests and charges. Over £167 million worth of property has been recovered and over £160 million worth of drugs.
• In 2006, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 500 arrests to date from 2.5 thousand appeals posted.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action' is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.
• In September 2007, Crimestoppers launched a youth website www.shadowcs.co.uk which allows young people to give information anonymously online.

Registered charity number: 1108687

Visit Most Wanted to view the full appeals.

Read more about past Operation Captura campaigns, including arrest information.