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James Allen manhunt: police focus on Middlesbrough housing estate James Allen manhunt: police focus on Middlesbrough housing estate
(about 1 hour later)
Police hunting for a 35-year-old man wanted in connection with two brutal murders are focusing their attention on a housing estate in Middlesbrough as part of an ongoing operation involving 100 officers. Police hunting for a 35-year-old man wanted in connection with two brutal murders are focusing their attention on a housing estate in Middlesbrough as part of an operation involving 100 officers.
Cleveland police confirmed that officers were in the Pallister Park district as part of the operation to find James Allen. No other information was given. Cleveland police confirmed that officers were in the Pallister Park district searching for James Allen. No other information was given.
Allen is wanted by police following the deaths of pensioner Colin Dunford in Middlesbrough on Monday and Julie Davison in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday. He is known to police, and members of the public are urged not to approach him but to contact police immediately if they encounter him. Allen is wanted by police following the deaths of pensioner Colin Dunford in Middlesbrough on Monday and Julie Davison in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday. Police confirmed on Friday that Allen knew Dunford as he was his next-door neighbour in Middlesbrough.
Allen is known to police, and members of the public are urged not to approach him but to contact police immediately if they encounter him.
A Cleveland police spokeswoman confirmed that no further details were available about the operation in the Pallister Park area. Detectives described the killings as "two brutal murders in the victims' own homes". Cleveland police and North Yorkshire police issued a joint appeal to find Allen after officers linked the two deaths.A Cleveland police spokeswoman confirmed that no further details were available about the operation in the Pallister Park area. Detectives described the killings as "two brutal murders in the victims' own homes". Cleveland police and North Yorkshire police issued a joint appeal to find Allen after officers linked the two deaths.
Julie Davison, 50, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square. She had suffered serious head injuries, police said. Friends said she attended bingo twice a week at the Whitby and District Rifle Club and had collected a £40 win on Tuesday. One line of inquiry was that her death was connected to a robbery attempt that went wrong.Julie Davison, 50, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square. She had suffered serious head injuries, police said. Friends said she attended bingo twice a week at the Whitby and District Rifle Club and had collected a £40 win on Tuesday. One line of inquiry was that her death was connected to a robbery attempt that went wrong.
North Yorkshire police said they wanted a man with a dark-coloured mountain bike to come forward after he was seen near the flats at around 6.30am on Wednesday.North Yorkshire police said they wanted a man with a dark-coloured mountain bike to come forward after he was seen near the flats at around 6.30am on Wednesday.
A post-mortem examination on Colin Dunford, 81, who also lived alone, revealed he had also suffered serious head injuries as a result of a significant assault. A postmortem examination on Colin Dunford, 81, who also lived alone, revealed he had also suffered serious head injuries as a result of a significant assault.
He was found dead at his terrace house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday after he failed to appear at his favourite working men's club. Locals said Dunford was a daily visitor to the Samuelsons club opposite his home.He was found dead at his terrace house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday after he failed to appear at his favourite working men's club. Locals said Dunford was a daily visitor to the Samuelsons club opposite his home.
It is believed that when he failed to turn up at the club for his evening meal, members became concerned about his welfare and police were called. Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house. He had been last seen alive at around 5pm on Sunday and neighbours described him as popular and a "true gentleman". It is believed that when he failed to turn up at the club for his evening meal, members became concerned about his welfare and police were called. Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house. He had been last seen alive at around 5pm on Sunday. Neighbours described him as popular and a "true gentleman".
Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, head of crime operations for Cleveland police, said on Thursday: "Anyone who can carry out such callous acts needs to be caught as a matter of urgency.Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, head of crime operations for Cleveland police, said on Thursday: "Anyone who can carry out such callous acts needs to be caught as a matter of urgency.
"We have over 100 officers working on the incident to trace Allen and we are focusing our efforts in Cleveland and in the Whitby area of North Yorkshire. Anyone who sees him or who knows where he is, we would ask them to contact 999 immediately.""We have over 100 officers working on the incident to trace Allen and we are focusing our efforts in Cleveland and in the Whitby area of North Yorkshire. Anyone who sees him or who knows where he is, we would ask them to contact 999 immediately."
Allen is described as 5ft 7in, bald with tattoos on both arms.Allen is described as 5ft 7in, bald with tattoos on both arms.