Two arrested after North Wales raid in hunt for on-the-run murderer Shaun Walmsley

A man and a woman have been arrested by detectives hunting on-the-run murderer Shaun Walmsley after raids in North Wales and Merseyside.

Walmsley, 28, escaped from custody on February 21 when two men armed with a knife and a gun confronted prison officers guarding him at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool during a visit from HMP Walton.

A gold-coloured Volvo, which was used for the escape, was later found abandoned in the Fazakerley area of the city.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Officers executed warrants in Anfield and Kinmel Bay today and arrested a 33-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both from Anfield, on suspicion of assisting a person unlawfully at large and money laundering.

“A significant quantity of cash and two vehicles were seized for forensic examination. Searches of the properties are ongoing.

“The two people arrested have been taken to police stations in Merseyside where they will be questioned in relation to the escape of prisoner Shaun Walmsley at Aintree Hospital Trust on Tuesday 21 February.”

Police added that 12 people had been arrested so far on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice, with 10 released pending further inquiries.

Detectives have put up £20,000 of Walmsley’s own money for information leading to his capture.

The reward is made up of cash which was seized following Walmsley’s arrest and conviction for a murder he committed in 2014.

Merseyside Police are working with officers from the National Crime Agency and police forces in Europe and further afield to locate Walmsley, who the public have been advised not to approach if they see him.

Walmsley was serving life with a minimum term of 30 years for the murder of Anthony Duffy, 33, in May 2014.

Anyone with information should contact police on 999, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police said two more people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with their inquiries.

A spokesman said: “A 65-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man, both from Anfield, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting a person unlawfully at large and money laundering.

“They have been taken to a police station in Merseyside to be interviewed.”