Two Most Wanted arrested in Spain » Communities » 24dash.com

IMMEDIATE SUCCESS FOR OPERATION CAPTURA 2

Following the launch yesterday of 10 new appeals under Operation Captura 2 for Most Wanted British criminals believed to be on the run in the Alicante region of Spain, the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers can confirm that two of the those individuals wanted by law enforcement have been arrested.

Anthony Kearney, accused of fraudulent offences, including obtaining benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and setting up false accounts and Donna McCafferty, accused of committing fraudulent offences between 1999 and 2004, were arrested by the Spanish Police in the Alicante area. McCafferty was arrested under one of her aliases Elizabeth McAndrew.

Mick Laurie, Crimestoppers Chief Executive said: "Two arrests so quickly is an amazing result for law enforcement and the Crimestoppers charity. The response from the public has been fantastic, within 24 hours of launching the 10 new appeals, we have been able to pass on to the police over 50 valuable pieces of information and we have had over 25, 000 visitors to our website, thats over 10 times are daily average. This proves how well Operation Captura and Most Wanted works these criminals have nowhere to hide, their faces are on the internet for all to see.

"But there are still dangerous UK criminals on the run in Spain, if you know anything about these individuals please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or if you are in Spain call 900 555 111, or use our website. Crimestoppers guarantees anonymity and we have done so for 20 years, so please tell us what you know not who you are - and help us bring these criminals to justice."

Denise Holt CMG, British Ambassador to Spain: "This works. I am delighted with the speed with which the Spanish authorities have acted, and the phenomenal response from the public. This has meant that, in less than 24 hours, two dangerous individuals out of the 10 serious criminals at large have been caught and will be brought to justice. Keep up the calls and visits to the Crimestoppers website - these campaigns are proving that British criminals can no longer escape from justice in Spain."

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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For further information please 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.

Notes to editors

Crimestoppers

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 87,000 arrests and charges. Over £103 million worth of property has been recovered and nearly £160 million worth of drugs.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.
  
  Registered charity number: 1108687