Fears murder suspect fugitive John Anslow may be abroad

Fugitive murder suspect John Anslow may have fled the country, detectives said today as they revealed they had received almost 100 calls about his whereabouts.

Officers are examining property seized during seven raids in the hunt for the 31-year-old, who is accused of killing Staffordshire father Richard Deakin.

Detective Superintendent Martin Evans said a large team of officers were committed to catching Anslow, who is now Britain's most wanted man after being on the run for over a week.

"We've had almost 100 calls from across the country, including those prompted by Crimewatch, which is a really encouraging response," he said.

"Seven search warrants have been executed in total – all in the Tipton area – and we're continuing to examine property seized. A 44-year-old man remains on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender."

Anslow is accused of killing Mr Deakin in Chasetown, Burntwood, in July 2010. The father-of-two, who ran a Walsall skip hire firm, was shot dead in bed.

Four other men have also been charged with murder.

A £10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Anslow's arrest.

He escaped last Monday when a gang armed with sledgehammers sprung him from a prison van on its way to Stafford Crown Court from HMP Hewell,Redditch.

Det Supt Evans added: "There's obviously a possibility that he's travelled abroad or may be planning to do so. If this is the case, there will be people who know about it."