Most-Wanted Foreigners Hiding In UK Named

A list of the most-wanted high-risk foreign fugitives believed to be hiding in Britain - including three suspected murderers and an accused rapist - has been released.

The list of 17 people, who are wanted by authorities in other European countries but are thought to be in the UK, has been unveiled by Scotland Yard and Crimestoppers.

It is the third Operation Sunfire campaign and includes the search for 32-year-old Dritan Rexhepi, who is wanted over a double murder in Albania and has links to London, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Edvinas Judinskas, 19, is accused of murder in his native Lithuania over an attack where a gang forced their way in to a flat and beat the occupant to death with a metal rod and wooden chair leg.

He has links to Woolwich in southeast London, Reading and Greater Manchester - specifically Bury and Bolton.

The list also includes Evaldas Rabikauskas, 29, who is wanted in Lithuania over the rape of a teenager in 2007 and has links to Hackney in north London and Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.

Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, said: "The purpose of Operation Sunfire is to track down and arrest murderers, violent robbers, drug traffickers and other criminals hiding in the UK.

"Crimestoppers is supporting this Metropolitan Police operation so that these individuals can be put before the extradition courts to face justice abroad and no longer be a threat to this country.

"Non-national fugitives hiding overseas in countries such as this are a threat to local communities as they most often remain involved in criminal activity and are a danger to those around them.

"We want these criminals off British soil and back to the countries where they have committed these heinous crimes so that justice may be served."

Detective Sergeant Peter Rance, who is leading the operation, warned the public not to approach the fugitives.

He said: "Today I'm asking the public, do you recognise these faces? Maybe you know where these people live, work or socialise?

"They are wanted to face justice for a multitude of crimes in other countries and it is in the UK's interests to help find them."

Anyone with information on the most-wanted is urged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police said anyone who sees one of the 17 suspects should not approach them but call 999 instead.