UK´s Most Wanted Fugitives - January 2022 . A new appeal has been launched to trace 12 of the UK's most wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain. The offenders are wanted for crimes including murder, large-scale drugs trafficking, and supplying firearms and ammunition.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA)’s Most Wanted campaign is run in conjunction with the independent charity CrimeStoppers, Spanish law enforcement and UK policing. It comes on the back of the successful Operation Captura campaign in Spain, which resulted in the arrest of 86 offenders
Many of the offenders may be trying to blend into the large British communities in Spain and you may recognise one of them from your own town or village. You can find full details of all the fugitives at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fugitives.
If you have any information that may be helpful, please do call 900 926 111 (or 0800 555 111 if you are in the UK). Calls are free and you will stay completely anonymous. Calls to both numbers will be answered by CrimeStoppers in the UK.
UK´s Most Wanted Fugitives
THE LIST
Anyone with information about one of the most wanted is urged to call the free Spanish number 900 926 111, which will be answered by CrimeStoppers in the UK (using translation if required). Callers in the UK should call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, members of the public can fill out an anonymous online form at the UK charity’s website crimestoppers-uk.org/fugitives.
Calvin PARRIS - CS reference: CS2201-18588
Wanted for supply of class A drugs - Calvin PARRIS from Cardiff is wanted by South Wales Police for being involved in the purchase and onward distribution of cocaine between February 2020 and June 2020.
Nana Kwaku Nsiah OPPONG - CS reference: CS2201-18587
Nana OPPONG DOB 28/05/1980 from London is wanted by Essex police in connection with the murder of Robert Powell, 50. Oppong allegedly drove to a party where Powell was present and shot him eight times with a 9mm pistol. Oppong and Powell allegedly belonged to rival criminal networks.
Asim NAVEED - CS reference: CS2201-18586
Naveed has allegedly had a leading role in a highly organised crime group. Using encrypted comms platform EncroChat, he is accused of acquiring large quantities of cocaine from upstream suppliers and onward distribution through Cardiff and Wales. It is estimated he and his OCG brought 46 kilos of cocaine into Wales during the period worth up to £7,885,680
UK´s Most Wanted Fugitives
John James JONES - CS reference: CS2201-18582
John James JONES is wanted for wounding with intent, Jones (and a co-accused) allegedly assaulted two people by stabbing them numerous times with a knife causing serious injuries. It is believed Jones fled the UK in the immediate aftermath. There is information to show he stayed at a hotel in Madrid the night after the stabbings but left rapidly the next morning.
Benjamin MACANN - CS reference: CS2201-18579
Wanted for his alleged involvement in the supply of multi kilograms of cocaine in 2020 in which he and accomplices used encrypted handsets.
Dean GARFORTH - CS reference: CS2201-18578
Garforth is allegedly involved in a well-established Organised Crime Group supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis and involved in trading firearms and ammunition. It is alleged he used the now defunct encrypted communications platform EncroChat to facilitate these offences in and around the North West of England and that his OCG also adulterated the drugs before moving them on.
NEW - Alex Male
Aged 29, who is accused of money laundering and conspiring to acquire a firearm as part of his drug dealing activity, he is thought to be on the run in the Marbella area.
He measures 1.82m tall, and has distinctive tattoos, on the entire front of his neck, also tribal type tattoos up his right arm.
UK´s Most Wanted Fugitives
Callum HALPIN - CS reference: CS2201-18577
Wanted by Greater Manchester in connection with the murder of Luke Graham and the attempted murder of Anton Verigotta. Halpin was allegedly one of three men who drove to the attack site and took part in the murder
Jack MAYLE - CS reference: CS2201-18585
Jack MAYLE is wanted by Surrey Police for his involvement in the supply of MDMA, methylphenidate (a pharmaceutical drug) and diazepam. Mayle fled after being charged. He allegedly ran a drug line in South London and Surrey called the Flavour Quest. He worked with a dark web drug dealer buying and selling drugs between each other for onward sales through their respective drug networks. They sold LSD and various pharmaceutical medication.
Mark Francis ROBERTS - CS reference: CS2201-18583
Mark ROBERTS 23/07/1993 from Liverpool is wanted by Merseyside police in connection with the Grievous Bodily Harm and attempted robbery of a man’s £60,000 Richard Mille watch. The victim was attacked by two men with a blade at around 1.30am on 30 September 2016 after he parked his car on his home driveway. The victim refused to surrender his watch and was so badly injured he suffered life-threatening injuries and was treated in a critical care unit for puncture wounds, a collapsed lung and many lacerations. The victim heard one of the attackers say he’d cut himself in the attack, and Roberts’s blood was later identified at the scene.
Callum Michael ALLAN - CS reference: CS2201-18581
Callum Michael Allan is wanted for twelve alleged offences including: Possession with intent to supply Class A (heroin), supply Class A (cocaine), possession of cannabis, assaulting an emergency worker, affray and dangerous driving. On 11 June 2019 police raided a house suspected to be used for drugs deals. Allan fled and assaulted two officers who restrained him. He was in possession of 113.29 grams of heroin. Allan was charged and appeared at court in April 2020 where he was given unconditional bail and failed to return.
James STEVENSON - Arrested in the Netherlands, not in Spain where he was originally suspected to be living
Joshua HENDRY - CS reference: CS2201-18584 now arrested
24th January - 30 year old Joshua Hendry, was detained in San Pedro de Alcántara, Andalucia, after an off duty police officer recognised him from the published crimestoppers photos, and called it in
He is accused of being a member of a Liverpool OCG and conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs. It is alleged he trafficked heroin and crack cocaine from Liverpool to Grimsby for onward distribution and controlled the phone line used for this. His mother and brother were convicted as part of the conspiracy. Hendry is also wanted over a separate drugs conspiracy to supply cocaine in May 2018 for which he was sentenced in his absence to 10 years' imprisonment in March 2019.
The National Crime Agency and Police Scotland want to speak with James Stevenson in connection with multiple offences relating to organised crime in Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, namely in relation to the seizure of approximately one tonne of cocaine found within a shipment of unaccompanied freight arriving at the Port of Dover in September 2020, and in relation to the production and supply of approximately 28 million Etizolam ‘street valium’ tablets, seized following a raid on a suspected pill factory in Kent in June 2020.
He is also wanted in connection with two suspected wilful fire-raising attacks on properties in the Lanarkshire and Forth Valley areas in May 2020.
Members of the public should not approach Stevenson directly but instead are urged to contact the authorities.
Anyone with information about any of the men above is urged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, while callers in Spain should call the freephone Spanish number 900 926 111, which will be answered by CrimeStoppers in the UK.
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British man found guilty of Attempted murder in Benidorm - A British man has been sentenced to five years in prison for the crime of attempted murder, he stabbed a compatriot in a fight that occurred in January last year in a pub in Benidorm, according to the sentence of the Provincial Court. The accused must also compensate the victim with almost 38,000 euros.
The assault took place at around 7.50 p.m. on 18th January 2020. At that time, the defendant and a partner of the victim got into an argument for reasons unknown.
The dispute ended up turning into a fight with an exchange of blows from which no injury resulted, according to the court ruling. The victim interceded in the brawl to try to separate the fight, the defendant began to fight with the victim and removed a knife from his backpack and stabbed the man several times.
The ruling states that the defendant stabbed the victim several times in the arms, chest and chin "with the intention of ending his life". He then left him injured and fled the scene.
The victim required emergency medical assistance for the treatment of the wounds and has also needed further operations on his extremities affected by the stabbings for reconstructive surgery, and still suffers limited mobility of his hands.
Please note this article has been translated from Spanish to English, so some detail may be slightly lost in this translation, read the original article HERE
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Police Terrorism Video
This is the video that Counter Terrorism Police have released to tell British holidaymakers what to do in a terror attack on a resort.
The video features gunmen invading a hotel where British people are staying. The holidaymakers are then shown making their way to safety using the "run, hide, tell" message of the video.
The fictitious gunmen are then eventually defeated by armed police who storm the hotel to deal with the threat.
Holidaymakers and hotel staff in the video are shown following the "run, hide, tell" message by first attempting to run away from the hotel along a safe route, avoiding dead ends, bottlenecks, and anywhere that might be in the line of fire.
Those that can't find a safe route are then shown hiding within the hotel. The video tells people to make sure they are behind a locked door and hidden away from the door, it also recommends barricading the door if you can.
People hiding are also told to turn their phones to silent and not to make any sound that might give away their position.
The people who have successfully run along a safe route away from the danger within the hotel are advised to wait until they are certain they are safe to call for police.
In most EU countries, and a lot of other countries around the world, the number is 112.
Police will want to know everything you can tell them about the attackers, including descriptions, where you last saw them, and what direction they were moving.
The video then shows how armed police will sweep the hotel looking for attackers, warning anyone hiding that they should expect police to treat them as possible attackers and to do everything they are told by police.
Only once the hotel has been secured will police evacuate anyone hiding within the building or resort. Advice on the National Police Chiefs' Council says:
Run to a place of safety.
This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate.
If there's nowhere to go...
It's better to hide than confront.
Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate.
Barricade yourself in if you can.
Then finally and only when it is safe to do so...
Tell the police. dial 112
You will also find a list of emergency telephone numbers HERE
Making a denuncia is an important part of the law and order system in Spain. The S.A.T.E office in Benidorm can help you with this process.
Having to report an event (or someone) to the police is something that nearly all of us have to do at some point in our lives. We might even be the ones reported; either fairly or unfairly.
What are police reports in Spain?
Police reports or denuncias are statements which anyone can make to law enforcement officers or public officers designated for this task in Spain. They are afterwards transferred to the appropriate agency for processing, investigation or resolution.
In other words, it is a testimony that you provide to the police to report a criminal event such as theft, assault, fraud, threats, etc. or to government officials to denounce administrative matters.
How to, Make a Denuncia
If you are going to make one, it is very important that you know what you are going to report. In particular, information associated with the events or the person you are going to report against. For example you need to know:
Addresses
Names and surnames
The date and time of events
The names and details of any witnesses
It is very important that you bring your passport with you as your main means of identification in Spain. If you have a NIE number or Spanish residency you will need them too.
How do I know if I can report something?
You don’t have to know Spanish law to report something to the police. Anytime you think you've been a victim or affected by somebody’s actions you can report it.
You can also report if you are a witness to an event that you consider illegal.
It is recommended that you go in person (in case of doubt) to a Spanish police station and ask them. Nobody knows better than the police if something can be reported or not.
How to, Make a Denuncia
All victims of crime in Spain must report the incident to the Police, this is called making a denuncia, and is required by Spanish law for all cases, from bag snatching to serious crimes.
What types of reports are there in Spain?
Reports are divided into two categories:
Criminal complaint (called “denuncias penales” in Spanish): they are reports of allegedly criminal action or a legally established misdemeanour.
Administrative complaints (called “denuncias administrativas” in Spanish): they are reports of events or actions that go against local or national administrative laws.
However, as mentioned previously, you have no obligation as a citizen to know the type of report you should do. As long as you identify that there’s an alleged crime or misdemeanour, and report it to the police, that’s enough.
Where do I make them?
Actions that are allegedly a crime or misdemeanour, which would fall into the category of "criminal complaint" (see above), can be reported at:
The Court.
Police stations where the alleged crime was committed.
Police stations based in the area of residence of the person reporting.
If the events were related to an administrative offence, which also would fall under "administrative complaint" as mentioned above, they could be reported at:
Local / National administration offices.
Police stations (National Police, Guardia Civil, Local Police or Regional Police).
As always, my recommendation is to go to the nearest Guardia Civil station or Local / National Police station and talk to them so that they can give you advice.
How to, Make a Denuncia
What is the process of reporting something?
The process is very simple. You must go in person to the places I mentioned in the previous point.
The report can be made in two ways:
Written (in Spanish) - delivering a document with the statement you want to report along with any other evidence.
Spoken - which is the traditional way to do it, telling the events and addressing questions asked by the police officer
The majority of police stations in Spain do not have interpreters, so you will need one if you do not speak Spanish.
or online - It is no longer possible to make a police report over the phone in English in Spain. If you have been a victim of a theft or robbery in Spain you can report the incident to the National Police in English online using the "Virtual Complaints Office”
Once submitted, you can then make an appointment at your local police station (Comisaria de Policia.) to formally sign and ratify the "denuncia"
And, again, it is very important to bring your passport for identification. If you have a NIE number or Spanish residency you must supply them too.
What happens afterwards?
The next step after reporting something at the police station depends on each case.
For certain alleged crimes or misdemeanours the police have enough authority to identify, or even arrest, those who are involved in the events.
Where there is not a clear offender or criminal, reports are sent to the judicial authority (court). From there, a judicial process begins to determine whether the reported events constitute a crime or misdemeanour legally established by Spanish law.
The judge ultimately determines whether there should be a court hearing to clarify or convict someone if necessary.
Administrative complaints may end up in economic fines or penalties.
Warning
In Spain, those who report false statements can be punished with fines or even prison.
False statements when reporting something or someone to the police is considered a crime under “Article 456” of the Spanish “Criminal Law” (Código Penal).
It is also possible to make a legal slander claim against a person who falsely reported another person.
Additional advice
You should not tolerate any situations you think that could be illegal. The Spanish legal system exists to protect people and sentence actions reflected in the Spanish criminal / administrative law.
If you do not really know whether something is illegal or not, you should check it out at the nearest police station or through a certified lawyer.
You should report whatever you think is wrong, illegal, or of a criminal nature, regardless of where you are from. Being another nationality does not put you at any disadvantage in Spain.
You will not be treated in a different way neither by the police nor at the court because of your nationality.
This is purely for guidance, please seek help from a certified lawyer for more in depth advice.
What to do if you are arrested in Spain
Prostitution in Spain - 18th October 2021 Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vows to ban prostitution, warning it 'enslaves' women
Spain could outlaw prostitution after its prime minister pledged to ban it in the country.
The industry has boomed since it was decriminalised in 1995 and estimates suggest that about 300,000 women work in the sex industry in Spain.
A survey in 2009 found that one in three men had paid for sex, but another report in the same year suggested the figure was almost 40%.
NEWS UPDATES from Alicante 14th October 2020 Barcala recovers Sonia Castedo's begging and prostitution ordinance with harsher fines.
Five years after the Alicante tripartite repealed the municipal ordinance of begging and prostitution for having a "sanctioning and non-preventive vision", the bipartisan led by Luis Barcala has begun processing to recover a document promoted by the government of Sonia Castedo in 2011. However, with more items and harsher fines.
Some parties from the left, (PSOE, Unidas Podemos and Compromís) yesterday criticized Barcala's government for retrieving a text which, in its view, "punishes the most vulnerable groups".
SOME OF THE VIOLATIONS CONTAINED IN THE NEW ORDINANCE
Serious and very serious offences:
Carry out sexual practices and the offering, application, negotiation and direct or indirect acceptance of sexual services on public roads when affecting citizen coexistence (from 750.01 to 1,500 euros).
Realization or incitement to perform acts that attack sexual freedom or the execution of acts of obscene exhibition (from 750.01 to 1,500 euros).
Street harassment, understood as the practices carried out by one or more people, laden with sexual connotations produced in public or private spaces that cause discomfort to people who suffer from it (from 750.01 to 1,500 euros).
Minor violations: from using fonts to selling items
Carrying out activities that obstruct traffic, endanger the safety of people or manifestly impede the free transit of people (up to 750 euros).
Offering services or products, persistently or intimidatingly, provided that they have not been demanded by the user (up to 500 euros).
Prostitution in Spain, The Law
It is quite often a shock to see the ladies of the night openly plying their trade in full public view, but here in Spain, prostitution isn't illegal, but nor is it legal, basically prostitution is unregulated and the police in many areas are powerless to do anything, other than check that residency paperwork is in order and the girls are not below the age limit.
Sex workers exist in a sort of legal vacuum. The workers themselves are not penalised, but instead, the procurers (or "pimps") are the ones who are punished by the law. And for good reason, as 90% of sex workers in Spain are said to be victims of human trafficking Their often complicated circumstances leave them in a sort of legal limbo. New Laws for the Valencian Region - From now on it is the customers that will be fined.
The problem here in Benidorm is that these girls use sex as a lure but in reality, the goal is to rob foreign tourists. They roam the streets of the English area late at night and target those affected by alcohol and other drugs. DO NOT GET INVOLVED. A quick NO and cross the road is normally all that is needed. DO NOT get into an argument with them, just walk away. If you do become a victim of these people please report it to the police ASAP.
Brothels have been illegal in Spain since 1956, but these days, the vast majority of them are loosely disguised as Night Clubs and are left to function as normal, although several raids have been done here in Benidorm on these so called bars.
What is totally illegal is public solicitation for sex, i.e. "street prostitution". Both the sex worker and their client can be prosecuted in some parts of Spain.
Prostitution in Spain doesn't have the stigma that it has in many other countries.
But don't be fooled by the pretense of acceptability. Prostitution in Spain is not the regulated wholesome affair that it is in, say, the Netherands. Human trafficking is a very serious, global issue, and hiring exploited sex workers directly funds some tremendously nefarious activity.
Like all countries, Spain has its own laws and cultural differences that make visiting or living here unique.
Remember when in Spain do not ask for a Night Club (these are the seedier clubs ie Lap Dancing Clubs/strip Joints) ask for a Disco.
PLEASE READ OUR GUIDE ON HOW TO STAY SAFE HERE IN BENIDORM
INFORMATION ON ALL ASPECTS OF CRIME
December 2018 - Spain tries ‘Swedish model’ to address prostitution’s legal limbo
(these laws have already been in place in the Valencian Region for some time).
Article by El Pais
Socialist government is drafting a bill targeting the demand side, with punishment for those who purchase sex.
The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) is drafting a sweeping bill to address the legal limbo affecting prostitution, which is neither regulated or criminalised in this country.
Spain’s governing party wants to penalise clients and those who provide apartments for prostitution activities. The sex workers themselves would not be targeted in any way, as they would be regarded as victims. The bill is inspired by the abolitionist model pioneered by Sweden (see below)
SEVERAL MODELS
Under the terms of the new legislation, “gentlemen’s clubs” – there are an estimated 1,500 in Spain, or three for every hospital – would be shut down through court orders.
The new law seeks to disincentive demand by outlawing the purchase of sex. It also considers human trafficking for sex exploitation to be a form of gender violence.
Experts estimate that Spain has a €3.7 billion sex industry; last year the police identified 13,000 women in anti-trafficking raids and said that “at least 80% of them were being sexually exploited.”
Government sources said that the bill is still at a preliminary stage, and that there are three versions under consideration. The 50-page document that EL PAIS newspaper had access to includes 93 articles and several additional provisions that would modify half a dozen existing laws and codes, including the Criminal Procedure Law and the Criminal Code.
The overarching idea behind the initiative is to protect victims by “eradicating prostitution because of its close ties with human trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes.”
The draft document also considers creating a fund to compensate victims of trafficking.
Several sources told EL PAÍS that the government wants to incorporate feedback from groups and associations that work closely with prostitutes.
The PSOE heads a minority government, and in order to secure congressional approval for its initiative, it will need additional support from 92 deputies to add to its own 84 lawmakers.
Debate
The Spanish executive is adopting an abolitionist approach, but sources admitted that there is an ongoing debate within the party on whether the bill should focus on trafficking for sex exploitation, or target trafficking in general. There is also a division of opinion on whether to include the word “prostitution” in the title of the act.
The preliminary draft considers several other forms of human exploitation, including forced labor, slavery, mendicity (the condition or activities of a beggar), organ extraction and forced marriages.
Prostitution remains a divisive issue in Spain. In August, the first sex workers’ union, OTRAS, was registered with the Labor Ministry, but in November the High Court struck down its bylaws, considering that its activities cannot be the object of a valid work contract.