The names and faces of 15 of the most wanted criminals in the North East have been revealed by police in an attempt to trace the whereabouts of those that are alleged to have committed some of the most horrific crimes in the region.

As part of a new project that Northumbria Police has launched, they have published the images of the 15 criminals – and hope that members of the public can help identify where they are hiding out.

The 15 fugitives are each wanted in connection with a range of undetected offences including criminal damage, burglary and assault committed across the North East.

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The suspects may be attempting to lay low or living transient lifestyles despite knowing they are wanted and being aware that officers are actively looking for them, according to the police force.

Here are the 15 of the most sought-after criminals on the police’s list:

•            David Annan, 27, of Gateshead, wanted in connection with harassment

•            Scott Blackburn, 28, of South Shields, wanted in connection with assault.

•            Martin Brown, 23, of Gateshead, wanted in connection with an assault

•            Jack Conroy, 22, of Newcastle, wanted in connection with criminal damage and burglary offences. Also has links to North Tyneside.

•            William Flamson, 38, of Gateshead, wanted in connection with breach of restraining order

•            James Harbetson, 31, of Blyth, wanted in connection with breach of licence

•            Kevin Herron, 31, of Sunderland, wanted in connection with witness intimidation

•            Dion Johnson, 21, of Easington Lane, wanted in connection with burglary

•            Oliver Lamb, 19, of Newcastle, wanted on prison recall

•            Ashley Lawson, 50, of Newcastle, wanted in connection with burglary

•            Craig Shaw, 23, of Bedlington, wanted on prison recall. Also has links to Blyth area

•            Mark Stevely, 39, of Newcastle, wanted in connection with assault. Also has links with North Tyneside.

•            Aaron Sutherland, 30, of South Shields, wanted in connection with assault.

•            Kristian White, 26, of Wallsend, wanted in connection with criminal damage and threats to kill.

•            Michael Whitehouse, 34, of Felling, wanted in connection with an aggravated burglary.

The Northern Echo: The names and faces of the 15 most wanted criminals. Pictures: NORTHUMBRIA POLICEThe names and faces of the 15 most wanted criminals. Pictures: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE

Superintendent Andy Huddleston, Northumbria Police’s Force lead for wanted people, said: “Several searches are ongoing for each of these suspects who we believe are actively evading arrest.

“They may well be relying on friends or family to help them stay under the radar. I am today appealing to anybody who believes they have seen them – or know where they may be residing – to get in touch.

“As we head into the summer, we are looking to locate these men as quickly as possible so we can interview them in connection with a range of offences committed across our region.

He added: “I would encourage those pictured to hand themselves in to the nearest police station and would reiterate that it is a criminal offence to harbour a wanted fugitive which could result in a prison sentence.

“By working together, we can continue to detect and disrupt criminality to ensure the North East remains as safe a place as it possibly can be to live, work and visit.”

The men, or anyone who has information about their whereabouts, are asked to contact police immediately via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of Northumbria Police’s website or by calling 101, quoting log NP-20220621-0603 plus the suspect’s name.

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