Operation Return II launched

28 June 2011

Following the success of Operation Return, launched last year in Amsterdam, details of six further UK criminals suspected of being on the run in the Netherlands have today been released. The list includes some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals; wanted for crimes relating to drugs smuggling, firearms and rape.

Operation Return II is a  joint initiative involving SOCA, crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers, Meld Misdaad Anoniem/’M’ (Dutch Crimestoppers) and Netherlands law enforcement. It aims to engage the public and the media to help locate fugitives wanted for serious crimes committed in the UK, but who are believed to have fled to the city of Amsterdam or its vicinity.

SOCA's Frank Francis said:

“This campaign builds on the superb relationship that SOCA enjoys with the Dutch police, and engages the local and ex-pat communities to drive up the pressure on UK criminals in Amsterdam an the wider region. We know this level of attention has a significant impact on criminals, and is a vital part of our work to make the Netherlands a hostile place for UK fugitives."

“I encourage every member of the public to look out for these fugitives and pass any information on their whereabouts to Crimestoppers; these are clearly people you do not want living in your community.”

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers’ Deputy Chief Executive said:

“I am pleased to see the repeat of this campaign. This follows our recent success of Operation Captura in Spain earlier this year, where two of the ten subjects were arrested within 48 hours of the launch. I hope this success will be replicated in the Netherlands."

“We are reinforcing to fugitives that you can run, but you can’t hide forever."

You can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the Crimestoppers website here