Police urge people to check on relatives following murder suspect arrest (From Gazette & Herald)

Police urge people to check on relatives following murder suspect arrest

4:33pm Sunday 29th April 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

POLICE have urged people to check on relatives, friends and neighbours who might have come into contact with a double murder suspect, following his arrest.

James Allen, 36, who was being hunted in connection with the killing of 50-year-old Whitby woman Julie Davison and Middlesbrough man Colin Dunford, 81, was arrested in Leeds this morning after being spotted by an off-duty police officer on his way to work.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Police, praised the officer for an "excellent piece of police work", saying that after his suspicions had been aroused, he had taken up and maintained observations and called for assistance.

“That assistance arrived and, after a short foot chase, that man was arrested,” he said.

He asked people to check on their neighbours if they had not seen them recently. He said police had no information that Allen had committed any other offences but added: "Please check on people, friends, relatives and let's make sure everybody's OK. Without a doubt, this is a dangerous man so I think it's prudent to ensure everybody's safe and well."

He also issued a further appeal for anyone with information about the route taken by Allen to come forward, saying the mountain bike he used at the beginning of the week had been found on Thursday in Scarborough and police did not know how he had travelled to Leeds.

He added that Allen would now be questioned in West Yorkshire.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Spittals, of North Yorkshire Police, gave his sincere thanks to residents for the ‘overwhelming support’ given to police which had culminated in the arrest.

"The cross-border police operation to apprehend this individual has been unrelenting over a number of days, and members of our communities have played a vital role by swiftly passing on information and sightings of the suspect,” he said.

He urged anyone with investigation which could help secure justice on behalf of the victims and their loved ones to pass it onto Cleveland police by calling 101.or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they wish to remain anonymous.