United kingdom Daily news: James Allen: Double murder suspect arrested in Leeds after nationwide manhunt

James Allen: Double murder suspect arrested in Leeds after nationwide manhunt

Allen, 36, held in south of the city at 7.30am today on suspicion of murderÂ
Man fitting his description spotted by off-duty officer on Crown Point Road
More than 100 officers were involved in the search after sightings in Leeds, Whitby and Scarborough
Accused of killing Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough on Monday and Julie Davison, in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday

By Simon Tomlinson

PUBLISHED: 03:38 EST, 29 April 2012 | UPDATED: 11:17 EST, 29 April 2012

Arrested: Double murder suspect James Allen was held in south Leeds at 7.20am today after a nationwide search

A man who sparked a nationwide hunt after being suspected of killing two people in their own homes was arrested today.

James Allen, 36, was held in south Leeds at 7.20am on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths of Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough, and Julie Davison, in Whitby.

It came after a third police force was drafted into the search following a fresh sighting in Leeds on Friday afternoon.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said Allen was arrested on Crown Point Road after an off-duty officer saw a man fitting his description.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, of West Yorkshire Police, said: 'An off-duty officer travelling to work this morning saw a man fitting the description of James Allen on Crown Point Road in Leeds.

'They called for colleagues in support who arrived quickly and an arrest was made.

'We would like to thank all members of the community who have been contacting us to assist in this matter.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Police, said there was 'short foot chase' along Crown Point Road before Allen was held, handcuffed and taken away for questioning.

An urgent appeal to find Allen was issued by Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police following the murders of Mrs Davison, 50 and 81-year-old Mr Dunford.

West Yorkshire Police joined the search after Allen was seen on CCTV footage walking along Harehills Lane at 2.41pm on Friday.

Releasing information: Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Constabulary, speaks to the media following Allen's arrest

Handcuffed: Allen was arrested along Crown Point Road (above) in Leeds after a short chase

At that point, police said it was possible Allen had already gone to a different location and urged anyone who saw him to call 999.

Police said Allen was considered dangerous and members of the public were advised not to approach him, but to contact police immediately.

Police also released CCTV images of Allen in Scarborough earlier this week.

A grainy picture issued by Cleveland Police of James Allen at a cash exchange in Scarborough

Police believe Allen may be growing his hair to disguise his identity

A grainy picture issued by Cleveland Police shows James Allen at a cash exchange in Scarborough on Tuesday

Net closes in: Police outside a house in the Harehills area of Leeds yesterday after reports Allen may have been staying there

The pictures showed Allen in a cash exchange in the seaside town on Tuesday and Wednesday and in a sports shop on Wednesday.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang said the images showed Allen could be trying to change his appearance by growing his hair.

Mr Lang confirmed Allen stayed in a bed and breakfast, thought to be the Allerton Croft Hotel in Scarborough, on Wednesday night.

'Murdered':Â Colin Dunford (left) was found on Monday and Julie Davison (right) was discovered by her sister

Killed: Julie Davison (above) had suffered serious head injuries at her flat in Whitby

HOW HUNT FOR ALLEN UNFOLDED

Monday, April 23 - Police find Colin Dunford, who was last seen alive at around 5pm on Sunday, dead with serious head injuries at his terraced house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, after he failed to appear at Samuelsons Working Man's Club.

Wednesday, April 25 - Julie Davison, who lived alone, is found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square, Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Thursday, April 26 - Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police issue a joint appeal to find Allen after offic ers link the two deaths.

Friday, April 27 - Various sightings of Allen are reported and police are involved in an operation in the Pallister Park area of Middlesbrough.

Saturday, April 28 - New CCTV images are released, showing Allen in a cash exchange in Scarborough on Tuesday and Wednesday and in a sports shop on Wednesday.

Police confirm he stayed in a bed and breakfast, thought to be the Allerton Croft Hotel in Scarborough, on Wednesday night.

West Yorkshire Police joins the search after Allen was seen on CCTV footage walking along Harehills Lane, Leeds, at 2.41pm on Friday.

Sunday, April 29 - Allen, 36, is arrested in south Leeds at 7.20am and held on suspicion of murder.

The detective said Cleveland Police had received hundreds of calls in response to appeals and urged anyone with information or anyone sheltering Allen to contact them.

'This is not a time for loyalty. There can be no loyalty at a time like this. This is the time to help the police,' he said. 'Now is the time to be public-spirited.'

Det Chf Sup Lang issued a further direct appeal to Allen to hand himself in: 'Give yourself up. Give yourself up now.

'You need to be in police custody, you know you need to be in police custody, you know what you've done.

'I think purely and simply by the tragic events that have unfolded, this is a man who cannot be at large, who needs to be arrested and that needs to happen as quickly as possible.'

Mr Lang warned residents to keep their homes secure and be careful when answering their doors.

Mr Dunford, who was last seen alive at around 5pm last Sunday, was found dead with serious head injuries at his terraced house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday after he failed to appear at Samuelsons Working Man's Club, where he was a daily visitor.

Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house.

Ms Davison, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square on Wednesday. She had also suffered serious head injuries, police said.

Tragic: Police at the scene in Church Square, Whitby, North Yorkshire, after Miss Davison was found dead following a 'brutal' assault