Gangster whose mob left grenade at Kenny Dalglish's home arrested in Holland after Manchester prison van escape

JAILED: Gangsters captured in Holland

By Dean Wilkins

A gang leader who was on the run after escaping from a Manchester prison van last July, was arrested in Amsterdam last night.

Kirk Bradley, who was head of an underworld mob responsible for a series of shootings, and leaving a hand grenade on Liverpool manager’s Kenny Dalglish home wall, was captured with his uncle by officers.

Bradley is expected to be extradited to the UK today to serve a life jail term after his luxury flat in the Biljmer region of Amsterdam was raided by Dutch police.

An international search had been going for months since he escaped the van with Anthony Downes, who was also captured in Holland, while en route for trial.

Ian Milne, head of European operations for the Serious Organised Crime Agency, said: "Like his partner in crime Anthony Downes discovered only a few weeks ago, there is no such place as a safe haven. Kirk Bradley was shocked when officers burst through the door of his luxury apartment in Amsterdam. He had no idea we were on to him.

"Joint working with Merseyside Police and the Amsterdam police has led to the capture of these two violent and dangerous individuals.

"They are now back behind bars where they belong. This shows that criminals who flee to other countries are not beyond our reach."

A specialist arrest team from the Amsterdam police arrested him on a British-issued European arrest warrant.

Arno Julsing, chief of detectives for the Amsterdam police, said: "What a successful arrest.

"The collaboration with our British colleagues has so far been fantastic. Together we have managed to apprehend many dozens of dangerous criminals in the last couple of years.

"Our approach works and we have found that the number of fugitives hiding in Amsterdam is decreasing. Our message 'Amsterdam is not the place to be' has apparently been heard. Those who still don't get it will be traced, arrested and handed over to the British authorities."

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