British expats are being asked to turn detectives to help track down some of the UK’s most wanted criminals who are suspected of hiding out overseas.
The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has three lists of most-wanted criminals overseas.
Operation Captura targeted 65 crooks living in Spain. Started in 2006, the list included the names of 65 fugitives wanted for serious crimes, including murder, robbery, drug running and sex offences.
To date, 53 have been taken into custody.
The latest arrest was that of Darren O’Flaherty in August, who was wanted in connection with the murder of a holidaymaker in Spain and a string of other offences.
SOCA wants holidaymakers and expats to keep an eye out for the remaining criminals on the Operation Captura list.
Spotlight on Spain
The spotlight for the fugitives is on Malaga and Alicante, which are traditional expat hotspots.
Roger Critchell, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, said: “The success of these appeals means that these criminals have a limited amount of time on the run.
“The latest arrests show that the British and Spanish enforcement agencies work well together and that the help of the public is essential in bringing the remaining 10 criminals to justice.
“It’s thanks to tip offs from the public only 10 are still on the run.”
Critchell warned that expats should not tackle the fugitives, but should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report any information through the web site.
Meanwhile, SOCA pointed out that they had stepped up inquiries and 17 of the 53 wanted criminals had been arrested since April 2013.
Call for tip offs
SOCA is running two other campaigns to track down fugitives from British courts that are suspected to be hiding overseas.
Operation Zygos was launched in September 2012 to bring crooks believed to be living in Cyprus to justice.
The most-wanted list for this operation lists five criminals.
For more information, go to the Operation Zygos web site
The other appeal to expats concerns criminals thought to be hiding out in Amsterdam. Operation Return, started in March 2010, lists five criminals wanted for drug offences, robbery and rape.
For more information, go to the Operation Return web site
Going to the operation web sites will bring up photographs of each wanted criminal – and clicking on the image will open a new window with more information about them on the Crimestoppers web site.
