POLICE have released photographs of the 12 most wanted people in East Lancashire this Christmas.

Officers want to speak to these people in connection with a number of serious crimes. They include making threats to kill, assaults, kidnapping, weapons possession, burglary, shoplifting and robbery.

Valentin Manole, 29, who has links to Burnley, is wanted in connection with making threats to kill.

Robert Hopkins Whitehead, 29, who has links to Burnley, is wanted in relation to an assault in Burnley on December 8 and breach of a court order. He is described as being 5ft 8in with short dark brown hair and of slim build.

Aroon Asad, 29, who has links to Brierfield, is wanted in relation to kidnap, assault, threats to kill and possession of a bladed article. He is described as being of slim build, with short dark hair.

Connor Dewhurst, 21, who has links to Accrington and Clayton-le-Moors, is wanted in connection with a burglary in Accrington on November 12 and shoplifting. Dewhurst, who is also wanted on recall to prison, is described as being 5ft 6in, with cropped blonde hair.

Kevin King Yates, 24, who has links to Burnley, Padiham and Accrington, is wanted on recall to prison. He is described as being 5ft 11in, of medium build, with shaven brown receding hair. He has a boxing gloves tattoo on the back of his neck.

Ben Kershaw, 29, who has links to Burnley and Bacup, is wanted in relation to an assault in Burnley on December 20. He is described as being 5ft 10in, with short dark brown hair. He has a tattoo reading ‘Chiz’ on back of his neck.

Daniel Beardsworth, 29, who has links to Accrington and Clayton-le-Moors, is wanted in connection with a burglary in Accrington on November 12. He is described as being 5ft 10in, with cropped brown hair. He has a ‘Mum’ tattoo on his right forearm.

Martin Haggan, 45, who has links to the Mill Hill and Highercroft areas of Blackburn, is wanted in connection with burglary. He is described as being 5ft 11in, with short brown hair. He has a ‘Dad’ tattoo on his left hand, and ‘mum’ on the right hand.

Ali Akbar Shah, 31, who has links to Blackburn, is wanted in connection with a robbery in Blackburn on November 15 where a man was threatened with a baseball bat and had his watch stolen. He is also wanted in relation to two burglaries. He is described as being 6ft 3in, of slim build, with short black hair.

Daniel Kirk Harwood, 26, who has links to Accrington, is wanted in connection to grievous bodily harm outside a Great Harwood nightclub on November 19. He is described as being 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short light brown hair.

Alice Rosemary Moorhead, 32, who has links to Blackburn, is wanted in relation to a racially aggravated assault. She is described as being 5ft 5in, of slim build, with shoulder length dark brown hair.

Wayne Nix, 44, who has links to Accrington, is wanted in connection with a burglary in Oswaldtwistle on November 21. He is described as being 6ft tall, with short dark brown hair.

Sergeant Gary Hennighan said: “Operation Moorhen — aimed at reducing vulnerability and delivering positive results and reassurance to victims of crime — has been very successful and has led to a number of arrests. With the public’s help, we’re hoping we can trace these 12 wanted individuals over the festive period.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101.