Don't let criminals live a life in the sun

UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, is targeting British holiday-makers and ex-patriates to seek their help in tracking down 19 most wanted British criminals who are believed to be on the run in Spain. [26 July 2009]

The fugitives are wanted under Operation Captura a joint project by Crimestoppers, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities. It is an online campaign working through the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Operation Captura was launched in October 2006 and to date 40 appeals for most wanted criminals have been released, with 21 of these arrested and brought back to the UK to face justice.

Crimestoppers Founder and Chair, Lord Ashcroft KCMG, said: “Whilst we are very proud of the results so far, with over half the wanted criminals arrested, the public's help is still greatly needed in helping to locate the rest of the criminals on the list. These people have committed some hideous and violent crimes.

“One crime that particularly stands out to me as extremely vile and devastating is the murder of a young mother, Lucy Hargreaves, who was shot, doused in petrol and set alight four years ago. Kevin Parle is wanted for her murder and the murder of 16-year-old Liam Kelly. We really do need the public to be vigilant and on the look out for Parle and the others on the wanted list. By passing on information about these fugitives to Crimestoppers, you remain anonymous at all times – calls are not traced or recorded and no personal details are taken. No one will know who you are.”

International Director for SOCA, David Armond, said: “These fugitives are significant criminals who may be hiding in the ex-pat community or mixing with British tourists, and information from the public may be the key to making sure they can't escape justice to live life in the sun.”

Dame Denise Holt, British Ambassador to Spain, said: “The public on the Spanish costas - including British expats and tourists - have already given a fantastic response to Crimestoppers appeals - please keep it up, and let's make Spain a tough place to hide out for criminals.”

Calls to the freephone Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number 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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See the Operation Captura Most Wanted appeals.

Read more about Operation Captura.

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

Crimestoppers

• 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.
• 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 Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by, but operationally independent from, the Home Office. SOCA is an intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers and harm reduction responsibilities. Harm in this context is the damage caused to people and communities by serious organised crime. For further details visit www.soca.gov.uk.