Postcard from the Bill... the holiday is over, Mr Criminal
EUROPOL is asking the public to help track down fugitives who have committed serious crimes in 21 countries.
But instead of posting pictures on milk cartons or at bus stations, the European police agency has produced a set of postcards with details of the criminals and sarcastic messages.
“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,” says one postcard, aimed at a Belgian drug trafficker.
Another aimed at Farouk Hachi, a bank robber in France, shows a man wearing a Napoleon-style hat, a red scarf, and a blue striped T-shirt, with a baguette in his hand and says: “Cher Farouk, we hope you will return to us soon. We miss you, La Police.”
David Daniel Hayes, a Welshman accused of child abuse, has been on the run since 2015 and was last seen boarding a flight to Amsterdam. His postcard, decorated with a traditional red phone box, reads: “Hi David, we have been trying to get hold of you because there is still so much to discuss. Please get in touch soon! The Police.”
Europol hopes people will share the tongue-in-cheek images on social media and help catch the fugitives.
“Share these postcards, send your leads. For these fugitives, holidays are over,” Europol said.