Police ask for help in locating the boroughs top five fugitives (From Leigh Journal)

Police ask for help in locating the boroughs top five fugitives

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POLICE have released pictures of the borough’s most wanted fugitives.

The action comes as part of a hard hitting purge to clear the streets of outstanding suspects and criminals.

In the two weeks since Operation Sabre was launched Greater Manchester Police have reduced the number of wanted offenders by almost 50 per cent from 1610 to 915.

They are now asking for the public's help in tracing those who have continued to avoid arrest.

Top Five wanted in the Wigan and Leigh Police Division are: •Louise Victoria Wickstead, 22, for causing grievous bodily harm after a 47-year-old woman was assaulted at a house on School Lane, Wigan in July 2009.

•Michael John Ward, 33, for causing actual bodily harm after a 38-year-old woman was assaulted at a house on Malton Road, Mosley Common, Wigan, on September 26, 2009.

•Stephanie Haselden,27, also for causing actual bodily harm after a 28-year-old woman was assaulted on Old Road, Ashton, on May 30 2009.

•Martin Berry Stephan, 25, for burglary.

•Patrick Keiller, 23, for attempted burglary.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: "Those we have targeted do not deserve to have the freedom to walk the streets of Greater Manchester.

"I want our local communities to come together on this, work with us to clear these criminals out of neighbourhoods. The people we are looking for may just live on your street or take the same bus as you.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 2019, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.