Six wanted men have been arrested after the public tipped off police to help bring them into custody - but the job is not yet done.
Last week, officers released the images of 15 suspects who were wanted in connection with a range of offences across the North East ranging from assault to arson. Police appealed for any information about the men who are evading arrest, with many living transient lifestyles in a bid to remain under the radar.
Since then, officers say they received a fantastic response from the public. Six suspects have since been placed under arrest and vital intelligence has come in about many of the others. In one instance, a member of the public spotted one of the suspects entering a flat block repeatedly and passed this information on to the police.
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Following the alert, members of the force’s Firearms Support Unit attended the address, drilled the locks and found the suspect inside. He has since been arrested and charged with seven offences.
Superintendent Andy Huddleston, of Northumbria Police, said: “The public are our eyes and ears, and we have been delighted with the response we have received since Friday’s appeal.
“Efforts are now ongoing to locate the outstanding suspects, and we have received some excellent information from the public which we hope will help us bring them into custody as soon as possible.
“I would continue to encourage anyone who believes they have seen any of those outstanding to come forward – and strongly advise those pictured to make themselves known to police by handing themselves in.
“It is a criminal offence to harbour a wanted suspect, and we do not want anybody to get into trouble on their account.”
The outstanding suspects are:
- Shane Henderson, 26, of North Shields, wanted in connection with a stalking offence
- Kieron Lincoln, 28, of Jarrow, wanted in connection with arson
- Terry March, 41, of Walker, wanted on prison recall
- Sean Ruffell, 30, of Sunderland, wanted in connection with an assault
- James Sayers, 20, of Guide Post, wanted in connection with a burglary
- Damen Adam Watson, 33, of Morpeth, wanted in connection with a harassment offence
- Paul Williams, 38, of Gateshead, wanted on prison recall
- Shaun Westgarth, 40, of Newcastle, wanted on prison recall
- Paul Taylor, 42, of South Shields, wanted in connection with an assault
Anyone with information about any of the people pictured is asked to call 101 quoting the wanted person’s name or via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page.
Alternatively, you can pass on information via independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by ringing 0800 555 111.
