Man wanted in connection with report of rape in Washington still avoiding police after almost a year

A search is still ongoing to find a man wanted in connection with a report of rape who has avoided police for almost 12 months.
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Police are asking for help from the public to locate Matthew James Ford, who is from the Wingate area of Durham, who has been wanted by police for almost a year following the report of rape in Washington.

He was first circulated as wanted on New Year’s Eve 2019 and enquiries to locate him have been ongoing ever since.

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A force spokesman said: “Ford is believed to be purposely avoiding police and now officers are asking for help from the public.

“Police do not believe he is any risk to the wider public but hope say they want to bring him into custody before Christmas.”

Anyone who knows where Ford may be, or has information that may help locate him, is asked to report it through the force’s website or by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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