FACES of some of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s ‘Most Wanted’ criminals are being boadcast across the counties as part of an ongoing campaign by the charity Crimestoppers.

Following the success of their last campaign in March, which saw information to the charity increase by over 60 per cent, a digital screen will be touring the county on a van, publicising some of the area’s most wanted suspects.

Information was received on every individual featured in the last campaign and over half of the individuals who appeared on the digital van were arrested.

The response from local residents following the campaign, which was supported by the Daily Echo, saw calls to Crimestoppers hit a high of 239 leads received in March - up from 158 in January and 149 in February 2016.

Julia Hughes, Regional Manager for Crimestoppers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “Last time the digital advan came to Hampshire we received 28 pieces of information from the public on wanted individuals.

“Crimestoppers’ Most Wanted works because people understand they can safely and anonymously speak up about criminals without having their identities revealed or having to go to court.”

More than 100 faces are listed on the ‘Most Wanted’ gallery for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for crimes ranging from burglary, drugs and criminal damage to assault.

Today new ‘Most Wanted’ faces will appear on a van fitted with a large digital screen that will travel to Portsmouth, Andover, Basingstoke and Aldershot.

Rebecca Colvin, Intelligence Development Manager for Hampshire Constabulary, said: “The anonymous service provided by the charity Crimestoppers and their Most Wanted gallery together with the courage of the local people to speak up about local criminals, is an integral means of law enforcement swiftly tracking down some wanted individuals.”

Michael Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am delighted to support this Crimestoppers’ initiative and heartened to see how the last appeal helped to raise awareness.

"This campaign has allowed the public to be engaged in the work of the police to bring criminals to justice.”

Crimestoppers will also be using Facebook advertising in order to appeal to residents to check out ‘Most Wanted’ in their local areas by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/most-wanted.

Crimestoppers are asking everyone to look at the faces on www.crimestoppers-uk.org/most-wanted and, if you recognise any of the suspects, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Your identity will never be revealed.

We don’t want to know who you are, just what you know.