Holidaymakers Urged to Look Out For Manchester Fugitives

Holidaymakers and expats in Spain are being asked to look out for two fugitives who fled from a prison van in Manchester.

Kirk Bradley and Anthony Downes escaped when the prison van they were travelling in was attacked by a gang armed with guns and baseball bats.

The van was attacked in the morning rush-hour near Manchester city centre on Monday July 18.

Bradley and Downes were on their way from HMP Manchester to Liverpool Crown Court where they were on trial with four other men on firearms charges.

The attackers escaped with the prisoners in a Saab car, which was found abandoned in Barrow Street in Islington, Salford, a short time after the escape.

The security van driver and his passenger were taken to hospital, though they are not thought to be badly hurt.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) is now asking people on the Spanish Costas to be on the look-out for the men.

It believes that because of long-standing links the men may be attempting to travel to Spain, or may even already be there.

A spokeswoman for Soca said Downes is known to be an associate of Kevin Parle, another fugitive on the Crimestoppers "most wanted'' list who is thought to be in Spain and is wanted in connection with two murders in Liverpool.

Soca's Frank Francis said: "These are dangerous men and it is very important that nobody approaches them. We are asking people who think they may have seen them to call Crimestoppers, either in Spain or in the UK.

"You can do this free, and completely anonymously. Our priority is getting these two back into custody as soon as possible.''

Kirk Trevor Bradley, 25, is 5ft 10in, with green eyes and cropped black hair. He has a Liverpool accent.

Downes - also known to associates as Fat Tony - is 24. He is 5ft 7in with blue eyes and short, straight dark hair.