Sun, sea and serious organised crime

Published by Crimestoppers for Crimestoppers in Communities and also in Local Government

Operation Captura 2 Most Wanted' appeals launched - www.crimestoppers.es

The UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), have launched ten new appeals for information concerning dangerous British criminals believed to be on the run in the Alicante region of Spain.

Following the huge success of Operation Captura 1, which was made possible by the close collaboration of the Spanish Government and police over the past two years, Crimestoppers and SOCA have now extended the project to the Costa Blanca area, which is believed to be another popular destination for UK criminals on the run.

The latest appeals include individuals wanted for murder, sex offences, drug trafficking and kidnap.

Operation Captura 2 is a joint project by Crimestoppers, SOCA, the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities launched in October 2006. It is an online campaign working through the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Most Wanted celebrates its third anniversary this November.

Thirteen fugitives have been caught from a total of 30 Operation Captura 1 appeals appearing on Crimestoppers' Most Wanted list. SOCA coordinates the appeals on behalf of British law enforcement and then processes the European arrest warrants to bring the fugitives back to the UK. SOCA is the focal point in the UK for conducting overseas operations to track down serious organised crime that originates in the UK.

Crimestoppers Founder and Chairman, Lord Ashcroft KCMG, said: "We are extremely proud of the success of Operation Captura and Most Wanted, which highlights how well the working partnership has gone with ourselves, SOCA, the British Embassy and the Spanish authorities. With thirteen arrests from 30 appeals so far, it is great to know that both UK and Spanish residents are helping law enforcement to capture these dangerous individuals by passing on information, which ultimately helps make their communities safer.

"We are now appealing to the public in both the UK and particularly ex-pats in Spain to look carefully at the ten new appeals and to pass on information they may have about them to Crimestoppers in total anonymity."

Bill Hughes, Director General of SOCA, said: "This is an innovative partnership which is proving to be very successful, and is delivering a simple message to criminals; you won't escape to the sun, we will find you and bring you back. This is just the beginning of an expansion of the project with more areas and countries being assessed where we can actively target these fugitives and return them to face justice, watch this space for future initiatives."

Denise Holt CMG, UK Ambassador to Spain, said: "Both British and Spanish residents on the Costas did a fantastic job in 2006 in helping Crimestoppers track down some notorious criminals. We're appealing for your help again. There are ten new names and faces of dangerous people that you can help put behind bars. This initiative is a good example of strong partnership working between UK and Spanish authorities, and should help Crimestoppers continue their successful operations."

Operation Captura identifies serious criminals wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK. Crimestoppers and SOCA work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in 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 currency counterfeiting. Information given to Crimestoppers can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out by the Spanish police.

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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To obtain mugshots and arrange interviews with Crimestoppers spokespeople contact Hannah Daws, Head of Communications, Crimestoppers on 020 8254 3230/07900 694904 or hannah.daws@crimestoppers-uk.org or Lisa Gains, Media Officer, 020 8254 3226 / 07795 564313 or lisa.gains@crimestoppers-uk.org .
For SOCA media enquiries telephone 0870 268 8100.

NEW APPEALS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Adam Hart

DOB: 10/08/1979 (place of birth: UK) Law enforcement:

SOCA Offences: Hart is accused of being involved in the conspiracy to supply controlled Class A drugs, namely Cocaine. On 26th August 2007 Hart evaded arrest as police officers searched his premises.

Description: 5ft 10in

Alan McDonald Gordon

DOB: 21/09/1962 (place of birth: Edinburgh, Scotland ) Law enforcement: Northern Constabulary - Scotland

Offences: Gordon is accused of supplying controlled drugs within areas of Scotland.

Description: 6ft 2in, fair/greying receding hair, blue eyes 80kg medium build, pierced left ear.

Aliases: Alan Macdonald GORDON

Andrew Arthur Alderman

DOB: 29/03/1959 (place of birth: Canterbury, UK) Law enforcement: Kent Constabulary

Offences: ALDERMAN was convicted to 10 years' imprisonment for indecent assault and rape of a girl under the age of 16, between 1st January 1995 and 30th April 2004.

Description: 5ft 10in, White but quite dark skinned complexion with a lot of body hair, stocky build, short, dark brown hair beginning to turn grey, brown eyes, wears glasses.

Andrew Mark Snelgrove

DOB: 27/02/1963 (place of birth: Lewisham/UK ) Law enforcement: Metropolitan Police Service

Offences: Snelgrove is accused of the attempted murder, wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with the intent to danger life on 24th June 1999.

Description: Straight collar-length, light brown hair, brown eyes, slim build. Aliases: Edward Robert SNELGROVE.

Anthony Kearney

DOB: 30/10/1965 (place of birth: Strathclyde, Scotland) Law enforcement: Strathclyde Constabulary.

Offences: Kearney is accused of fraudulent offences, including obtaining benefits from Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and setting up false accounts.

Description: 5ft 9in, white European, black hair, blue eyes

Aliases:
Philip M HANSCOMBE
Alan McBRIDE
John McCONNELL
Charles CONNELLY
Colin LLOYD
William McWATTER
James MURRAY
Thomas SINCLAIR
James THOMPSON

Alias DoB:
01/09/1958
20/02/1959
03/12/1959
30/10/1964
26/01/1966
30/10/1966
30/10/1971

Dean Lawrence Rice

DOB: 12/06/1961 (place of birth: Exeter, UK) Law enforcement: Kent Constabulary

Offences: RICE was convicted in his absence to life imprisonment for conspiracy to didnap & false imprisonment. After the victim resigned from working for RICE he was abducted on the 15th March 2006 whilst in Camden Park, London.

Description: 5ft 3in, medium build, short, straight black, greying hair, possibly wearing a beard/goatee/moustache, brown eyes, mark on br