U.K. Gunman Deemed Threat to General Public
Police called from all parts of UK to hunt for Moat, now deemed threat to public
LONDON, July 8, 2010 -- After six days, 100,000 hours of work and hundreds of searched acres, the United Kingdom's hunt for an alleged gunman continues. Raoul Moat, 37, is suspected of three shootings that left one man dead and a police officer critically injured in Northern England. He has been on the run since Saturday and believed to be a threat to the general public.
"I want to stress that we have the resources and resilience to deal with this situation," said Northumbria Police temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim during a news conference on Thursday.
The Northumbria Police have searched throughout the week for Moat, with officers, special forces and search dogs scouring the rural countryside near the town of Rothbury. London's Metropolitan police snipers and 20 armored cars from Northern Ireland joined the search.
"The searches in this area have proved a particular challenge due to the open farmland and dense woodland and officers are continuing in their efforts today. I'd like to reassure the public that we are doing everything possible to locate Moat and bring this investigation to a conclusion," temporary Deputy Chief Constable Jim Campbell said in a press release.
Moat, the father of three, allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, 22, at her parents' home and killed her partner Chris Brown, 29, on Saturday. The following day, he shot police officer David Rathband, 42, in his patrol car outside of Newcastle.
Rathband is still in critical condition, while Stobbart is currently recovering in the hospital.
Moat is also a suspect in the armed robbery of a Fish and Chips restaurant on Monday. After demanding cash from the restaurant staff, the robber escaped on foot.
"I think he has access to ammunition. He is probably on his own," Northumbria Police's Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson told the BBC.
Adamson also said he had a "gut feeling" that Moat was still in the Rothbury area, where police have focused their search.
Police received a tip from Moat's ex-girlfriend Yvette Foreman, 35, that Moat was familiar with the Rothbury landscape because they had often camped in that area when they were dating during their early twenties.
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