Worldwide manhunt seeks two wanted murderers in the UK

STRICTLY EMBARGOED: 00.01 Tuesday 30 June 2009.

The UK charity Crimestoppers, in partnership with Crime Stoppers International (CSI), has added two fugitives wanted for murder charges to the list of individuals sought as part of the worldwide hunt for criminals on the run.

Operation International Fugitive Round Up and Arrest (INFRA) is a month-long operation taking place throughout June which appeals to the public for information on wanted fugitives who are on the run in the UK. This initiative helps capture dangerous fugitives who have left their country of origin and are believed to be residing abroad.

Rouf Uddin, Belgium's most wanted fugitive and Anthony Carl Prestidge, wanted by Australian authorities are both wanted for separate murder charges and have been added to Crimestoppers UK's Most Wanted list. Crimestoppers is also urging the public to pass on information about two other criminals already wanted under Operation INFRA – Xhevat Kaca who was convicted of Exploitation of Prostitution with Aggravating Circumstances in November 2006 in Albania and Shaqir Ziko who was convicted of murder, theft and illegal possession of firearms on 14 July 1999 in Albania. As yet Crimestoppers has not received any information on either Kaca or Ziko.

Operation INFRA was launched at the beginning of June, with 17 wanted fugitives on the list. To date there has been one arrest. A total of 18 fugitives are now wanted.

Working in partnership with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Crimestoppers UK wants information on fugitives wanted for a range of serious crimes.

These include criminals from several different countries including: Poland, Georgia, Albania and Hungary. These individuals, who are featured on Crimestoppers UK's Most Wanted, are wanted for crimes committed in other countries but are now believed to be in, or have connections to, the UK. INFRA is targeting violent offenders, sex offenders and gang related crimes.

These individuals are considered to be dangerous and some may have access to arms. Do not attempt to apprehend any of these fugitives yourself. Pass on any information to 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Both routes are anonymous.

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, founder and Chair of Crimestoppers says: “The two new wanted individuals are wanted on murder charges and have fled to the UK to evade capture – don't let these dangerous individuals find a safe haven in the UK, look carefully at these faces and if you spot them, or have any information on them, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on the secure, encrypted online Giving Information Form. Information from the public can help play a vital role in helping law enforcement track down these criminals and send them back to the country they are wanted in to face justice.”

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Visit Crimestoppers dedicated Operation Infra page for information about all the wanted international fugitives

For more information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Notes to editors

• All the appeals for Operation INFRA from around the globe can be viewed on www.c-s-i.org.
• 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 www.crimestoppers-uk.org .
• 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.
• Crime Stoppers is one the most successful crime fighting organisations in the world.
• Crime Stoppers globally helps to solve a major crime every 14 minutes somewhere in the world.
• Crime Stoppers, internationally, assists in the recovery of more than US$700 000 worth of stolen property and narcotics every day.
• Crime Stoppers has assisted with the arrest of more than 600 000 criminals.
• Crime Stoppers has paid out more than US$100 million in rewards, an average of $63 000 every week since 1976.