Texts from Cambridgeshire Police ask offenders on the run to hand themselves in

More than 13,000 people are subject to outstanding arrest warrants across England, according to national reports earlier this month, and text messages are one way Cambridgeshire Police try to track criminals down.

A police spokesperson said “There are a whole range of activities we undertake to try and identify individuals who are outstanding.

“When we have a genuine and current telephone number for an offender we will try calling and texting them asking them to hand themselves in.”

In previous years Cambridgeshire Police have also sent out Christmas cards to convicted and suspected car crooks and burglars to remind them they are likely to get caught if they commit crime.

The message reminded them that if they try to steal anything, they could end up sprayed with SmartWater and “glowing like a Christmas tree”.