North West police forces have released a series of e-fits of eight men currently wanted for a number of unsolved crimes across the region.
E-fits are usually produced in the absence of sufficient CCTV evidence.
Where the victim of a crime does not know the suspect, and without CCTV or any other images on hand, an e-fit is often the next best option for officers and may be used as a way of building an image of and tracking down an offender.
Using computer software, with input from the operator and a witnesses information, a face is generated in a bid to build an accurate representation.
This is a method used by many police forces, including Greater Manchester Police.
With several e-fit cases still remaining unsolved across the North West, the Liverpool Echo has compiled a list of eight criminals that police are still seeking to find and bring to justice.
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Attempted Sexual Assault
Warrington
Cheshire Police is appealing for information regarding an incident that is believed to have taken place at around 4.45am on Sunday 28th June 2015, on Knutsford Road, close to the Barry Street junction in Warrington.
The alleged victim, a 27-year-old local woman, was walking along Knutsford Road when she was grabbed from behind by a man who pulled her to the ground and attempted to drag her into a secluded area. As the offender was moving the victim, he was disturbed by a local resident, which caused him to flee.
The woman received cuts and grazes to her shoulder and ankle, although she did not require hospital treatment.
The attacker is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, late 20s to early 30s, clean shaven with short, black, wavy gelled hair, and he was wearing blue jeans and a red tracksuit top, with white stripes down the arms and a white motif on chest.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 259 of 28/6/2015.
Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Repeat Sexual Offender with a “bowl haircut”
Runcorn
This above e-fit is the face of the suspect detectives want to speak to in connection with two sexual offences which occurred in Runcorn in 2019.
The first incident happened when a man stood at a bus stop on Merlin Close in Castlefields at around 10am on Thursday 5th September 2019 and exposed himself to a woman in her 60s, and then a spokesperson for Cheshire Police said that less than an hour later, a man fitting the same description grabbed a woman in her 30s as she walked along Lodge Lane in Halton Village towards Shopping City.
Following the two incidents, a description of the man was issued – which described him as around 5ft 3in tall and looked like he was in his late 20s or early 30s – and police said he was slim, with a messy dark ‘bowl’ haircut with a fringe, large eyebrows and a boil or spot near his right eye.
Anyone with information or camera footage that may help detectives with their ongoing investigation should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 505208, or give the details online.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Cyclist Who Exposed Himself
Warrington
This is the e-fit of a cyclist who exposed his genitals to a woman out on an afternoon walk.
The victim was walking through the Woodland Trust site, Grappenhall Heys, in Warrington when she was subjected to the horrifying ordeal, and police said a man on a mountain bike rode over to the woman before exposing himself sometime between 2pm to 2.30pm on Wednesday 23rd October 2019.
Officers are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.
They described the culprit as in his late 30s, around 5ft 8in of a heavy build with a bald head and clean shaven. He was wearing a grey hoodie which was zipped up to the top, black sport shorts, white trainers and had a white mountain bike with rubber grips on the tyres.
Anyone with information can contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website form quoting IML 546835.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Sexual Assault of a 10-year-old Girl
Speke
This is the e-fit of a man that Merseyside Police are looking for after a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while walking down the street on 4th November 2015 in Speke.
Officers said the offender approached the girl, 10, on Central Avenue around 8.30am and pinched her bottom.
The girl was not hurt, but was left shocked.
The offender was described as white, approximately 20 years old, with ginger shaved hair, glasses, slim build and was wearing a grey tracksuit.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Man Who Exposed Himself to a Family
Walton
Merseyside Police released this e-fit of a flasher that they believe exposed himself to a woman walking with her family near the junction of Rice Lane and Brook Road in Walton at around 11.50am on Thursday 15th September 2016.
The man is described as white, in his 40s or 50s, 5ft 8in tall, with a stocky build, and he was wearing a baseball cap, glasses, a black t-shirt and walked with a walking stick.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 0516210705.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Motorbike Rider Who Raped a Woman
Wallasey
This is the e-fit of a man that Merseyside Police are searching for after a woman was walking along Wallasey Bridge Road shortly after 5pm on Tuesday 7th June 2016, when a man on a motorbike pulled over and began talking to her.
He then got off the bike and sexually assaulted her.
Police believe that anyone who saw a man in the area riding a motorbike with L plates on and wearing helmet – which had red markings on it – could have information to help with their investigations.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Late Night Attack on a Teenager
Wallasey
Merseyside Police issued this e-fit of a man they wished to speak to in connection with an incident in which a teenage girl was grabbed in a late night attack in Wallasey at around 10.50pm on Monday 8th December 2014.
The 17-year-old girl challenged her attacker and managed to struggle free following the incident, which happened as she was walking along Withens Lane.
Although the girl was not injured, she was left very upset by the incident.
The man is described as white, 6ft tall, aged between 35-45 and of medium build. He was wearing a grey woolly beanie hat, a green Parker jacket, baggy sweat pants and white trainers.
The man spoke with a local accent.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Attempted Abduction of a Schoolgirl
Kirkby
A 12-year-old girl was walking along Fernhurst Road in Kirkby at around 7.45am on Tuesday 19th January 2016 when a man got out the passenger side of a white van parked on the street and encouraged her to approach him, before taking hold of her.
The girl managed to break free and ran to school.
She reported the incident to a teacher who contacted the police and enquiries are being carried out in a bid to identify the two men who were in the van and establish the exact circumstances of the incident.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
