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| Wish you were here: Europol releases set of postcards in bid to catch criminals | Wish you were here: Europol releases set of postcards in bid to catch criminals |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| From the ski runs of Austria to the frites of Belgium and crisp pilsner lager of the Czech Republic, new postcards published on Friday do a convincing job of selling the delights of the countries they are championing. | From the ski runs of Austria to the frites of Belgium and crisp pilsner lager of the Czech Republic, new postcards published on Friday do a convincing job of selling the delights of the countries they are championing. |
| Perhaps that is just as well, as the set of 21 cards is part of a summer campaign launched by the pan-European police agency, Europol, to help national forces lure in and catch up with some of Europe’s most elusive fugitives. | Perhaps that is just as well, as the set of 21 cards is part of a summer campaign launched by the pan-European police agency, Europol, to help national forces lure in and catch up with some of Europe’s most elusive fugitives. |
| While it is unlikely the the cards will successfully pull on the heart strings of homesick fugitives, all of whom are subject to a European arrest warrant, the crime agency hopes they will be shared on social media. “While most of us are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, criminals are not taking time off from crime,” Europol said in a statement. | While it is unlikely the the cards will successfully pull on the heart strings of homesick fugitives, all of whom are subject to a European arrest warrant, the crime agency hopes they will be shared on social media. “While most of us are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, criminals are not taking time off from crime,” Europol said in a statement. |
| As well as illustrating the delights of EU member states, the new postcards feature the personal details and photographs of Europe’s most wanted, for whom traditional investigative measures have so far not led to locating the suspects, Europol said. | |
| “Ciao Marco,” says the message from Italian policeto Marco Di Lauro, 37, wanted for murder, drug trafficking and robbery. “Don’t you miss the taste of real Italian cuisine prepared with love by someone who really loves you? Come back to the sun-kissed shores of Italy for a truly authentic (food) experience that you’ll never forget.” | “Ciao Marco,” says the message from Italian policeto Marco Di Lauro, 37, wanted for murder, drug trafficking and robbery. “Don’t you miss the taste of real Italian cuisine prepared with love by someone who really loves you? Come back to the sun-kissed shores of Italy for a truly authentic (food) experience that you’ll never forget.” |
| The Austrian police write on their postcard to Tibor Foco, 61, who is wanted on suspicion of murder: “Servus Tibor. We haven’t seen you for a while! We have one more space left on our next ski trip. Please come back to enjoy our beautiful Alps.” The Hungarians tempt Viktor Miklós, 38, wanted on drug charges, with: “Kedves, Viktor. We know you liked spiced stuff, so we have prepared a very special goulash for you. Come back. Üdvözlettel, the police.” | |
| To Artur Nawrocki, 38, wanted for drug trafficking in Belgium, the local police write: “Belgian fries are the best and we know you miss them. Come back to enjoy them – we’ll have a nice surprise in store for you.” Scotland Yard, however, plays it straight in a message, accompanied by a picture of a traditional red phone booth, to David Daniel Hayes, who is accused of multiple child sexual offences. “Hi David. We have been trying to get hold of you because there is still so much to discuss. Please get in touch soon!” | |
| Europol said: “Holiday destinations have proven to be popular hiding places for criminals on the run ... The more the postcards are seen, the better the chance of police locating these criminals and putting them behind bars.” | Europol said: “Holiday destinations have proven to be popular hiding places for criminals on the run ... The more the postcards are seen, the better the chance of police locating these criminals and putting them behind bars.” |
| Social media is increasingly a key part of the agency’s efforts to aid the work of domestic police forces across national boundaries. A website specifically focusing on Europe’s most wanted, launched in early 2016, has had more than 2.5 million unique visitors. | |
| Europol said 36 criminals who had featured as most-wanted fugitives had been arrested, at least 11 of whom were apprehended as a result of information provided by the public through the site. | |
| One of those caught after featuring on Europol’s list was Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested in Molenbeek, Brussels, on 18 March 2016 after being on the run for 126 days following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015. |