Wales Police focus on fugitives abroad

Another 10 wanted fugitives will be named later as part of Crimestoppers' campaign targeting British criminals believed to be on the run abroad.Of the 60 fugitives already named since Operation Captura launched five years ago, 46 are in custody.The 10 names released in Madrid will include those of alleged murderers, and paedophile Dominic Stephen Powell, 48.He is wanted by South Wales Police after fleeing in 2009 while under investigation for child sex attacks.He had already served a seven-year sentence in the United States for similar offences, and is described by officers as a very high-risk registered sex offender.Operation Captura has an impressive success rate: of the 60 wanted criminals named so far, 77% are in custody - a return almost unheard of in law enforcement.The campaign is coordinated by Crimestoppers and Soca, the Serious Organised Crime Agency.Home Office Minister James Brokenshire MP is also in Madrid to help launch the latest campaign.He said: "Spain isn't some kind of safe haven for criminals - far from it."It's about creating a very hostile environment and giving a very clear presentation to those who think they can evade justice by coming to Spain that they can't and that justice will find them."Soca deputy head Andy Baker said that several of those who had handed themselves in after being named in Operation Captura had told detectives they could not stand the pressure.He almost feels sorry for them, he said. "Imagine: you're always looking over your shoulder, wondering if that siren is coming for you, thinking, 'Who can I trust, who can't I trust?'"You walk into a bar and if someone looks at you twice you're thinking: 'Have they recognised me? Have they seen one of the posters?'."The success of Captura is largely down to the willingness of expatriates in Spain to provide information.It is mainly done through Crimestoppers' anonymous telephone line: the UK number is 0800 555111; in Spain, callers must dial 900 555111.Bar owner Matthew Loughney, who is from Bristol but spends four days a week in Madrid, said the Spanish respected the British work ethic and criminals undermined that."When that work ethic is tarnished, people take it very personally. And people are fed up with criminals getting away with it and for many years these people were just laughing in our faces."Barman Liam Bray agreed: "If any of us noticed something I think we would phone up. We'd take responsibility. I know I would."There are an estimated one million Britons living for some or all of the year in Spain; with a further 12 million visiting in the summer.Those behind Operation Captura know there are many criminals soaking up the sun - but they say that every Captura arrest turns up the heat a little more on those still there.