Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is supporting the Metropolitan Police Service’s Extradition Unit as they today launch a new appeal to hunt some of the most-wanted foreign national fugitives believed to be hiding in the UK, particularly in areas of London. [4 February 2013]

The 17 suspected criminals, made up of high risk offenders, include two alleged gunmen who fatally shot their victims, a suspected violent abductor and a man wanted for the rape of a teenager.

These individuals are wanted by other European law enforcement but are believed to be hiding in the United Kingdom in areas including London, Reading, Manchester and Leicester, in attempts to evade prosecution.

This campaign highlights the continuing work between Crimestoppers and the Metropolitan Police in the third Operation Sunfire campaign executed through this partnership.

Information given anonymously to Crimestoppers can help lead to the location and arrest of these foreign national suspected criminals who could be hiding anywhere in the UK and many are believed to have links in London.

The Extradition Unit's Detective Sergeant Peter Rance, leading Operation Sunfire 3, said: "Today I’m asking the public, do you recognise these faces? Maybe you know where these people live, work or socialise?

“They are wanted to face justice for a multitude of crimes in other countries and it is in the UK’s interests to help find them. If you have any information about these people, please call Crimestoppers so we can arrest them. If you see them call 999 and do not approach them."

Founder and Chairman of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft KCMG, PC said: “Crimestoppers believes in the right to live without the fear of crime and we are encouraging the public to call us completely anonymously if they recognise any of these 18 individuals or have any information as to their whereabouts.

“We have seen a great response from the public and arrest success from past campaigns so our hope is that this will continue and that the public will join us in standing up against crime. By working together and speaking up anonymously we can all take steps towards making the UK safer.”

Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers said: “The purpose of Operation Sunfire is to track down and arrest murderers, violent robbers, drug traffickers and other criminals hiding in the UK. Crimestoppers is supporting this Metropolitan Police Operation so that these individuals can be put before the extradition courts to face justice abroad and no longer be a threat to this country.

“Non-national fugitives hiding overseas in countries such as this are a threat to local communities as they most often remain involved in criminal activity and a danger to those around them. We want these criminals off British soil and back to the countries where they have committed these heinous crimes so that justice may be served.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of any of these people, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No one will ever know who you are. Individuals can also pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

All 14 remaining suspects' details will also be on the website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org/mostwanted

Anyone who sees these people should not approach them.

-ENDS-

For Crimestoppers media quires and spokesperson requests please contact PR & Media Officer Giselle Lares on 0208 835 3737 or email giselle.lares@crimestoppers-uk.org.

For Metropolitan Police media queries and spokesperson requests please contact MPS Press Bureau on 020 7230 2171 or email: press.bureau@met.police.uk. DS Peter Rance is available for interview.