Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) can confirm that Kirk Bradley, who escaped with fellow fugitive Anthony Downes from a prison van in July last year while being transported from HMP Manchester to Liverpool Crown Court, has been arrested.
Bradley, aged 25, was identified at a residence in the Bijlmer region of Amsterdam on the evening of 04/04/2012. At 11.30pm a specialist arrest team from the Amsterdam Police arrested him on a British issued European Arrest Warrant.
His arrest follows the capture of fellow fugitive Anthony Downes in mid-March.
Bradley and Downes had been on their way to a trial where they were accused of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit criminal damage with intent to endanger life when they made their escape.
The pair featured as part of Crimestoppers’ latest Operation Captura campaign, launched in October 2011, which seeks to locate wanted fugitives believed to have fled to Spain, who are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies.
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “These men tried to evade capture by going on the run, believing that they could seek refuge abroad. The premise of Operation Captura means that the illusion of a ‘safe haven’ for criminals abroad simply doesn’t exist.
“This arrest has brought the total number of individuals located as part of Operation Captura to a staggering 49 out of 65 appeals, which can only serve as evidence of the campaign’s success.”
Deputy Chief Executive, Dave Cording, added: “Operation Captura has seen immense success due to the effective partnership between Crimestoppers, the Spanish Police, SOCA and the public and it is through this partnership that we continue to see arrests made.”
This latest arrest brings the total number of those located to 49 out of 65 appeals since the campaign launched in October 2006.
Operation Captura is the successful multi-agency campaign which identifies serious criminals believed to be on the run in Spain.
For those people calling from Spain there is a special Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number which will be answered in the UK by Crimestoppers’ call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 or online atwww.crimestoppers-uk.org.
