This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/27/police-hunt-murder-suspect-middlesbrough

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
James Allen manhunt: police focus on Middlesbrough housing estate James Allen manhunt: police focus on Middlesbrough housing estate
(about 3 hours 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 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 more than 100 officers from two forces.
Cleveland police confirmed that officers were in the Pallister Park district searching for James Allen. No other information was given. At a press conference on Friday, Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland police, made a direct appeal to James Allen to hand himself in.
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 wanted following the deaths of Colin Dunford in Middlesbrough on Monday, and Julie Davison in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday. Police confirmed yesterday that Allen knew 81-year-old Dunford as he was his former 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. Allen is known to police, and members of the public have been urged not to approach him but to contact police immediately by dialling 999 if they encounter him. He is described as 5ft 7in, bald, with tattoos on both arms.
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. In a direct appeal to the fugitive, Lang said: "James Allen stop now. Do the right thing. Consider the consequences. You have inflicted terrible injuries and death on two families. Stop and hand yourself in."
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. He said Allen was on court bail for an undisclosed offence. He had contact with the probation service and was being investigated for other alleged offences, which Lang wouldn't reveal.Lang said Allen, who had previous convictions for violence and was a known drug user, was probably "confused and chaotic". There had been a number of reported sightings in Middlesborough, Whitby and Scarborough.
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. The senior officer urged members of the public to look out for elderly neighbours and put safety first; they should "lock their doors, lock their windows and check who's knocking on your door. Clearly this is … a dangerous man but we are putting absolutely everything into finding him, tracking him down and bringing him to justice."
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 said the two police forces were "absolutely working in partnership with one goal and that is to find James Allen and arrest him".
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. Cleveland police confirmed that officers were searching for Allen in the Pallister Park district. Detectives were also investigating an alleged offence at Allen's address in Lothian Road over the weekend.
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". Lang said Allen, originally from Blackpool, knew Dunford when he lived next door to him around a year ago. He is not believed to have known Davison.
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. Robbery was a possible motive for the attacks, but Lang stressed he was keeping an open mind. One line of inquiry was that he could have tricked his way into Davison's home.
"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." Officers are keen to trace a black bicycle which Allen had at both addresses. They believe it was feasible Allen cycled the 30-odd miles (50-odd km) between Middlesbrough and Whitby.
Allen is described as 5ft 7in, bald with tattoos on both arms. Neighbours of Allen said they saw him there at the weekend.
Adeel Baig said he last saw Allen get in a taxi on Sunday evening. "He was a normal bloke. Always polite. I thought he was trying to sort his life out."
He also saw him on Saturday with a baby whom Allen said was his granddaughter. "I was surprised. I thought it was his daughter. She was only about six months old  … On the Sunday he had knocked on my door and asked to borrow some pots and pans."
Baig said armed police arrived at the house on Friday morning after he returned from the school run. "Six or seven police vehicles arrived and officers got out with their weapons and ran to the house. They asked me to go to the bottom of the road. They were walking towards the house with guns," he said.
An elderly man in the house came out of the property with his hands in the air and was taken away by officers. Baig said the man had lived at the property for about 20 years.
Mohammed Salim Afsar said he saw Allen about four days ago.
"He said he was a bricklayer and asked if I wanted any work doing. He said he was going to Scarborough. I recognised his photo and rang the police yesterday."
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 and had won £40 on Tuesday.
North Yorkshire police said they wanted a man with a dark-coloured mountain bike to come forward after he was seen near her flat at around 6.30am on Wednesday.
A postmortem examination on Dunford, who also lived alone, revealed he had suffered serious head injuries as a result of a significant assault.
He was found dead at his house on Monday after he failed to appear at his favourite working men's club opposite his home. It is believed members became concerned about his welfare and called police.
Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house. Neighbours described him as popular and a "true gentleman".