More than 120 of Northumbria Police’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives have been arrested – across a week of dedicated activity.

Last week, officers carried out a range of activity to track down suspects across the Northumbria Police force area.

As part of Operation Bastian, officers from the Force’s intelligence department spent significant time pulling together a picture on those ‘Most Wanted’ across the region.

Working alongside key partners, the teams with Northumbria’s Harm Reduction Department swiftly identified where suspects were staying, and across last week (May 15 – May 21), searches were carried out to track down the fugitives.

Today (Thursday), detectives have revealed that the activity saw a total of 121 people arrested for a range of unsolved crimes including burglary, assault, public order, drugs, and weapons offences.

One particular arrest led officers to two other people after the vehicle they were travelling in was searched and offensive weapons were found.

Chief Inspector Karen Murray, of the Northumbria Police’s Harm Reduction Department, oversaw the activity and has today (Thursday) praised the efforts of officers and staff.

She said: “The fugitives we arrested were deemed high-risk in our area and I am delighted that so many have now been located.

“They have been purposely evading police and it is thanks to the tenacity of officers working on Operation Bastian that they have been brought into custody.

“We have had support from departments across the entire Force, as well as our Special Constables who have volunteered their own time to come in and search for these individuals.

“We have also had some fantastic support from our partners across the Force, and I want to extend my thanks to them.”

Ch Insp Murray continued: “This may well have across a week of activity, but I want fugitives in our region to know that we will never stop looking for you.

“You should always be looking over your shoulder and always be expecting a knock on your door – it’s only a matter of time before we bring you into custody.”

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of an individual who is wanted by police can contact officers by calling 101. You can also report online at the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police.

If you want to report information anonymously you can do so by calling independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.