Faces of British fugitives thought to be on the run in the "Costa del Crime" coastal resorts of Benidorm, Malaga and Puerto Banus have appeared on a huge 13ft screen.

Tourists and ex-pats have been looking up at the faces of criminals wanted in connection for crimes including murder, rape and drug dealing after the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers renewed efforts to catch the suspects as part of Operation Captura.

The digital screen, which is attached to the back of a van, is touring the areas, parking outside nightclubs, bars, British supermarkets and restaurants – "the fugitives' backyards" – in the hope that putting their faces in plain sight will help to flush them out.

The organisations are hunting 18 suspects in the area and the appeal comes months after one in March landed three fugitives within a matter of weeks.

Convicted killer Shane Walford, 38, from Coventry, was detained in the Canary Islands and Paul Monk, 54, from Romford, Essex was arrested in April at his home in Alicante, Spain, in connection with drugs offences. Jason McDonald, 37, originally from Bristol, was picked up by police at an apartment in Amsterdam hours later. He was also wanted for drugs offences.

Benidorm Crimestoppers screen
Sun worshippers in Benidorm can see the faces of some of the UK's most wanted criminals NCA flickr

NCA deputy director Steve Reynolds said: "We've caught 68 out of 86 fugitives on the Captura list and the rest know we won't stop until we catch them too.

"By taking our campaign directly into Spanish communities where we believe they are living and socialising, their lives will become even more uncomfortable. We want British expats and locals to help us by being extra eyes and ears and telling us what they know.

"These fugitives are wanted for serious crimes. Anyone who is helping them stay on the run, such as girlfriends, wives, family members back home, or criminal associates, should know that assisting them is an offence too.

"There may also be people in the UK with vital information on the whereabouts of these fugitives and we would urge them to get in touch."

Benidorm Crimestoppers screen
The 13ft screen has been transported to locations popular with British tourists and ex-pats NCA flickr
Benidorm Crimestoppers Screen
The faces of 18 suspects have been projected on to a 13ft screens in potential hideouts in Spain NCA flickr

Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, added: "This is something that we have never done before but we believe that broadcasting these fugitives' faces right in their backyards will not only encourage the public to speak up but show these individuals that there really is nowhere to hide.

"There will be no avoiding the faces on this screen – they'll be broadcast in all the popular ex-pat areas.

"I would urge anyone who recognises any of those faces to contact Crimestoppers anonymously. We don't take personal details and you won't have to give a statement or go to court.

"Many of these fugitives are currently living a life of leisure funded by serious crime. They cannot be allowed to hide forever, they must be brought to justice. Do the right thing and help us find them."

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