Most Wanted paedophile capture makes it two arrests in one day for Operation Captura

UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, can confirm that one of the most wanted men under Operation Captura, Stephen John Burnell, was arrested yesterday on the holiday island of Crete. He is the second man wanted under Operation Captura to be arrested within 24 hours.

Burnell, born in Scunthorpe and wanted by North Yorkshire Police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, was featured under Operation Captura, a campaign to track down UK criminals on the run in Spain. He was found guilty at York Crown Court on 2 March 2007 of offences of attempted rape, indecent assault on a female, indecency with a child and taking indecent photographs of a child. He was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment in his absence.

Crimestoppers' Founder and Chair, Lord Ashcroft, KCMG said: “To have two Most Wanted men arrested within 24 hours is an incredible achievement. The fact is that more than half the criminals who have been featured under Operation Captura have already been caught. Therefore my message to the rest of them, still on the run, is that it doesn't matter which island they are sunning themselves on, they should put their affairs in order and find a tenant for their villas, because there's a good chance they will be soon on their way home.

“I must also say congratulations to SOCA for their continued pursuit of such dangerous individuals.”

Detective Inspector Keith Ruff of North Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation into Burnell, said: “We are delighted that the law has caught up with this man. Our thoughts immediately go to the victim at the centre of the case and hope that she can now take some comfort from the fact that he is no longer at liberty.

"The result of this operation sends a clear message that there is no hiding place for anyone, anywhere, and demonstrates what can be achieved by working in partnership with other agencies. Burnell must now face up to his despicable crimes.”

Jim Gamble, head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre said: “No matter where child sexual offenders go we will find them – the arrest in Crete proves that and the 13 offenders we have located after we published their details on CEOP Most Wanted proves that too. Many of them have been located abroad. There is no where to hide. I ask members of the public to continually work with us – register for updates from our Most Wanted site and let's bring more offenders like Burnell back to face the consequences of their crimes.”

Ronald William Priestley, born in Leeds on 2 March 1940, was arrested yesterday afternoon in Malaga, Spain. He was sought in connection with currency counterfeiting offences to the sum of £4.25 million.

Operation Captura identifies serious criminals wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK. Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) work closely with British Embassy Madrid, British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European arrest warrants issued against them for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder and sex offences.

Calls to the freephone Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number are 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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For further information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Notes to editors:

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 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