A North East police force has made inroads into its summer wish list to detain 15 fugitives wanted for outstanding offences or on prison recall.

Four of the named men have now been arrested in the past week, including one found hiding in a kitchen cupboard.

It follows Northumbria Police’s appeal on August 3, in which it released images of the 15 suspects each wanted in connection with a variety of offences committed across the North East.

Officers appealed to the public for information as to their whereabouts, with some swift success, thanks to public assistance.

Read more: Northumbria Police asks for public help to trace 15 of its most wanted

On Tuesday (August 8) officers were said to have executed a warrant at an address in Benwell, Newcastle.

At first the suspect, wanted on prison recall and also in connection with fraud offences, did not appear to be present.

But, in a subsequent search of the kitchen, a suspicious noise led the officers to find their target hiding inside a cupboard.

He was duly detained and taken into police custody.

It brought the total of the targeted 15 located in the first week since the appeal was made to four, two of whom have been returned to prison and another who has since been charged with offences including criminal damage and assault.

Read more: Northumbria Police arrest more than 120 'most wanted' fugitives

Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Metcalfe, head of crime at Northumbria Police, said: “We’ve been delighted with the response from the public who’ve already helped us locate four wanted fugitives and given us crucial information about many of the others.

“Our sights are now set on those who remain outstanding and we expect it is only a matter of time before they are arrested and brought into custody.

“If you have seen any of these men or know where they’re staying, please let us know. It is a criminal offence to harbour a wanted suspect, which could result in a prison sentence.

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“If you remain on our wanted list, I'd advise you to hand yourself in as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, it may be your door that we turn up to next.”

The remaining suspects, who are believed to be trying to evade arrest, are Thomas Allport, 32, of Ashington, wanted in connection with a burglary, John Armstrong, 45, of Newbiggin Hall, wanted on prison recall, Callum Cross, 21, of Newcastle, wanted for failing to appear at court, Gareth Downey, 36, who has links to Sunderland and Newcastle, wanted in connection with a robbery, Lee Ferguson, 39, who has links to Newcastle and Wallsend, wanted on prison recall, Jack Gaffney, 25, who has links to Wallsend, Cramlington and Ashington, wanted in connection with a burglary, Kevin Greenfield, 55, of South Shields, wanted in connection with a stalking offence, John Hall, 35, of Houghton-le-Spring, wanted in connection with a burglary, Anthony Johnson, 30, of Newcastle, wanted in connection with an assault, Reece Lyall, 23, of Shiremoor, wanted in connection with a burglary, and Lewis Wood, 25, of North Tyneside, wanted in connection with a criminal damage.

Anyone who has any information about any of the suspects pictured is asked to contact police immediately via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force website, quoting ‘wanted campaign’.