Village cordoned off in hunt for UK killer

Police in the UK hunting shooting suspect Raoul Moat shut down a two-mile area around a village today.

Residents of Rothbury in Northumberland were warned to stay indoors and people were advised not to travel to the area.

Northumbria Police said they had set up a two-mile exclusion zone around the village on the ground and a five-mile exclusion zone in the air.

Northumbria Police said in a statement: ``Numerous resources are being deployed to the area to reassure the public and to carry out an effective search.

“The public may experience some disruption and we are seeking their patience and co-operation.

“Members of the public in this area are advised to remain indoors and await further instructions. Anyone considering visiting Rothbury is also advised not to travel at this stage.

“People will see armed officers on the streets. This is a precautionary measure to protect and reassure them.”

Moat, 37, declared “war” on the police and vowed not to stop killing “till I’m dead” in a letter sent to the force.

The former nightclub bouncer blamed Northumbria Police for ruining his life in the 49-page hand-written confession, which was obtained by The Sun.

Headed “Raoul Moat Murder Statement 4/7/10”, the document – written in capital letters and handed to a friend in Newcastle – warned that police would “pay for what they’ve done” to him and his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart.

Moat, from the Fenham area of Newcastle, allegedly went on the rampage after being released from Durham Prison on Thursday.

It emerged yesterday that police were warned he may have been planning to harm his ex-girlfriend on Friday, the day before he allegedly shot Miss Stobbart, 22, and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown.

The next day the fugitive also allegedly shot and injured Pc David Rathband.

In his letter, he wrote: “The public need not fear me but the police should as I won’t stop till I’m dead.”

Moat described himself as a “killer and a maniac” but added: “I ain’t no coward.”

He went on: “I guess I’ve finally lost it. I’m not on the run, I will keep killing police until I am dead. They’ve hunted me for years, now it’s my turn.

“I am very sorry about Sam and wish I hadn’t shot at her. Just make sure she stays alive.”

Admitting his actions, Moat claimed he was “pushed”, saying he “went straight but they couldn’t let it go”, and apologised for hurting Miss Stobbart, with whom he has a daughter.

“Last night I called 999 and declared war on Northumbria Police before shooting an officer on the West End A69 roundabout in his T5,” he wrote.

“Sitting there waiting to bully someone.”

The frantic hunt for Moat entered its fourth day as officers faced a probe into their handling of the case.

Northumbria Police said they had referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).