SIXTEEN of Britain’s most wanted criminals are thought to be on the run of Spain.

In the five and a half years since Operacion Captura was launched by UK crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers 49 out of 65 wanted killers, sex offenders and robbers have been arrested, with many now behind bars.

The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European arrest warrants issued against them.

EWN can reveal that in the past 12 months six individuals from the Operacion Captura have been arrested.

The most recent being fugitive Kirk Bradley thought to have fled to Spain but arrested in Amsterdam (Holland) in April 2012.

His arrest follows the capture of fellow fugitive Anthony Downes in mid-March also in Amsterdam.

Others arrested in the past 12 months are: Paul Walmsley (September 2011); Jamie Dempsey (May 2011); Anthony Fraser (July 2011); Dominic Powell (October 2011)

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Founder Crimestoppers, said: “A small number of suspected criminals see Spain as a safe place to evade law enforcement but, thanks to the confidence the UK, Spanish and ex-pat communities have in Crimestoppers, these individuals will not be able to escape justice for much longer.”

Anthony Fraser

‘Mad’ Frankie’s grandson turns himself in

ANTHONY FRASER, grandson of notorious East End gangster ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, was arrested in Gibraltar after he handed himself in to the authorities in July last year.

Fraser had been on the Serious Organised Crime most wanted list for two years for his alleged involvement in the importation of approximately two tonnes of cannabis hidden in a shipment of frozen chicken pieces into the UK from Holland.

'Mad' Frankie Fraser

His grandfather was dubbed the most dangerous man in Britain by the Home Secretaries.

He was a member of the feared South London Richardson gang during the 1960s, rivals to the Krays and spent 42 year in prison.

For those people calling from Spain there is a special freephone Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number which 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 Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

By John Jackson
j.jackson@euroweeklynews.com