Most wanted criminal on display in Spanish Costas

A digital screen displaying the faces of some of Britain’s most wanted fugitives is being driven around popular expat areas in Spain.

Crime prevention charity Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency (NCA) are using the tactic for the first time in an attempt to flush out suspects thought to be hiding in areas such as Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus.

The 4m-high screen attached to the back of a van broadcasts the faces of 18 men who are being sought in connection with a range of alleged crimes, including rape, drug trafficking, and murder.

It is touring areas with large British contingents and parking outside nightclubs, bars, supermarkets, and restaurants.

The campaign is part of Operation Captura, which targets British fugitives believed to be hiding among ex-pat communities in the Spanish Costas.

So far, 68 out of 86 wanted individuals have been apprehended.

Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, added: “This is something that we have never done before but we believe that broadcasting these fugitives’ faces right in their back yards will not only encourage the public to speak up but show these individuals that there really is nowhere to hide.

“There will be no avoiding the faces on this screen — they’ll be broadcast in all the popular expat areas.

“Many of these fugitives are currently living a life of leisure funded by serious crime. They cannot be allowed to hide forever, they must be brought to justice.

“Do the right thing and help us find them.”

Captura, an initiative between Crimestoppers, the NCA and Spanish authorities, is in its ninth year.