South Shields Wanted Man

7 July 2015, 09:39 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police trying to track down a South Shields fugitive are going to display his face on a big screen in Spain.

A 13 ft high digital screen broadcasting the faces of 18 of Britain's Most Wanted fugitives is on tour around British ex-pat hot spots in Spain.

It's the latest push by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to track down the 18 remaining individuals wanted as part of Operation Captura.

The fugitives are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including murder, rape, indecent assault of a child and drug trafficking.

And they are believed to be hiding among British communities in popular ex-pat areas - including Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus.

One of them is Allan James Foster - who police want to speak to in connection with a murder, as well drugs and diamond offences.

The 43 year old's wanted in connection with the murder of David 'Noddy' Rice in a car park in May 2006.

He is also wanted for drugs and diamond theft offences.

Foster, also known as Shaun Michael Wilkinson, is originally from South Shields, Tyneside, and has links to the Canary Islands and Majorca. 

The digital screen, attached to the back of a van, is touring all these areas and parking outside nightclubs, bars, British supermarkets and restaurants

It is hoped that going direct to the fugitives' back yards and putting their faces in plain sight will help to flush them out.

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, the Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said:
"Operation Captura has proved a huge success since it was launched in 2006 and the majority of individuals on our most wanted list have been captured.

However, there are still a number of criminals who are evading arrest. We must ensure these individuals are brought to justice."

Steve Reynolds, NCA Deputy Director, added:
"We've caught 68 out of 86 fugitives on the Captura list and the rest know we won't stop until we catch them too.

By taking our campaign directly into Spanish communities where we believe they are living and socialising, their lives will become even more uncomfortable. We want British expats and locals to help us by being extra eyes and ears and telling us what they know.

These fugitives are wanted for serious crimes. Anyone who is helping them stay on the run, such as girlfriends, wives, family members back home, or criminal associates, should know that assisting them is an offence too.

There may also be people in the UK with vital information on the whereabouts of these fugitives and we would urge them to get in touch."