MORE than 170 suspected criminals have been brought into custody following a week of action by Merseyside Police targeting wanted fugitives - and here are the faces of 10 other men they want to trace.

During a concerted effort by police teams across the force area, 91 people were arrested on suspicion of offences such as sexual assault, domestic assault, drugs and breach of court orders.

And thanks to a campaign carried out by the force using the hashtag #MPCommunityFirst a further 88 people handed themselves in after being told to do the right thing.

The force is now appealing for the public’s help in tracking down 10 men wanted in connection with undetected crimes to build on the success of the past week.

Several have links to St Helens.

Superintendent Mark Morgan, who coordinated the operational activity in Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens, said: “Operation Chapar has successfully resulted in dozens and dozens of outstanding offenders and suspects being brought into custody.

"Some were wanted for serious crimes, others had breached the terms of their release from prison, and some were linked evidentially to live investigations.

“Local policing teams have worked closely with detectives to identify and locate people connected to crimes, whilst on the roads our traffic officers have used ANPR cameras to spot vehicles linked to criminal activity.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the operation and the momentum has built thanks to the publicity and we have found a high proportion of wanted people handed themselves in after hearing we were coming for them.

“We will not stop looking for people wanted for criminal offences and this remains daily business for police officers throughout the force.

“Public information has been key to all this and the communities of Merseyside are undoubtedly safer with these people off the streets and in custody.

“I would urge the public to look at the faces of the people we are publicising and call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you know where they are.”

The ten wanted men are:

Shaun Walmsley - wanted after escaping from custody during a hospital visit in February this year, 28-year-old Walmsley is regarded as dangerous having been serving a prison sentence for the murder of Anthony Duffy. Detectives are offering a reward of £22,000 for information leading to his capture.

Gamal Hamad - detectives are keen to speak to the 33-year-old from Toxteth in relation to the robbery of a pensioner in which offenders on a scrambler bike snatched a gold Rolex from him as he parked his car in Crosby last October.

Thomas Moore - the 30-year-old is wanted for breaching a domestic violence prevention order (DVPO) and has links to the L14 area of Liverpool as well as Thatto Heath in St Helens.

Carl Michael Turner - officers investigating a burglary in Prescot in May in which a Vauxhall Insignia was stolen and pursued by police want to speak to the 25-year-old, who has links to St Helens and Liverpool.

Jack Wharton - detectives investigating a series of 'hook and cane' burglaries in Formby and Litherland in which family cars were stolen are keen to speak to the 19-year-old from Walton in order to progress their enquiries.

Adam Fletcher - the 23-year-old is wanted in connection with a serious assault earlier this month in Aintree which left a 25-year-old man with a fractured skull and fractured ribs.

Phillip Maddox - 46-year-old Maddox from Rainford is believed to have information that could help detectives investigate the assault of a woman which left her with a fractured cheek and hand.

Kieran Simpson - detectives are keen to hear from anyone who knows where Simpson, 25, is now, having been linked to a racially aggravated assault against a taxi driver in Halewood in March 2013.

Michael Anthony Scarth - the 26-year-old from north Liverpool is wanted on a court warrant for breaching a restraining order in February this year.

David Cheeseman - officers are keen to speak to the 35-year-old about an incident in Prescot last month in which a woman was assaulted in the street.