Police have appealed for anyone with relatives and friends who may have come into contact with the double murder suspect James Allen to check on them.
Detectives made the appeal after Allen, 36, was arrested early on Sunday after being spotted by an off-duty officer on his way to work in Leeds. He is being held on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths of Colin Dunford, 81, in Middlesbrough and Julie Davison, 50, in Whitby.
Speaking at Cleveland police headquarters, temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang said there was no information that Allen was suspected of committing other offences.
But, as police retrace Allen's route from Middlesbrough through Whitby and Scarborough to Leeds, Lang added: "Please check on people, friends, relatives and let's make sure everybody is OK.
"In this inquiry we're investigating two deaths. Without a doubt, this is a dangerous man so I think it's prudent to ensure everybody's safe and well," he told a press conference.
Cleveland police and North Yorkshire police had issued an urgent national appeal to find Allen following the murders.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, of West Yorkshire police, said: "An off-duty officer travelling to work this morning saw a man fitting the description of James Allen on Crown Point Road in Leeds.
"They called for colleagues in support who arrived quickly and an arrest was made."
The detective said Cleveland Police had received hundreds of calls in response to appeals and urged anyone with information or anyone sheltering Allen to contact them.
'This is not a time for loyalty. There can be no loyalty at a time like this. This is the time to help the police,' he said. 'Now is the time to be public-spirited.'
Det Chf Sup Lang issued a further direct appeal to Allen to hand himself in: 'Give yourself up. Give yourself up now.
'You need to be in police custody, you know you need to be in police custody, you know what you've done.
'I think purely and simply by the tragic events that have unfolded, this is a man who cannot be at large, who needs to be arrested and that needs to happen as quickly as possible.'
Mr Lang warned residents to keep their homes secure and be careful when answering their doors.
Mr Dunford, who was last seen alive at around 5pm last Sunday, was found dead with serious head injuries at his terraced house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday after he failed to appear at Samuelsons Working Man's Club, where he was a daily visitor.
Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house.
Ms Davison, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square on Wednesday. She had also suffered serious head injuries, police said.
Detectives made the appeal after Allen, 36, was arrested early on Sunday after being spotted by an off-duty officer on his way to work in Leeds. He is being held on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths of Colin Dunford, 81, in Middlesbrough and Julie Davison, 50, in Whitby.
Speaking at Cleveland police headquarters, temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang said there was no information that Allen was suspected of committing other offences.
But, as police retrace Allen's route from Middlesbrough through Whitby and Scarborough to Leeds, Lang added: "Please check on people, friends, relatives and let's make sure everybody is OK.
"In this inquiry we're investigating two deaths. Without a doubt, this is a dangerous man so I think it's prudent to ensure everybody's safe and well," he told a press conference.
Cleveland police and North Yorkshire police had issued an urgent national appeal to find Allen following the murders.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, of West Yorkshire police, said: "An off-duty officer travelling to work this morning saw a man fitting the description of James Allen on Crown Point Road in Leeds.
"They called for colleagues in support who arrived quickly and an arrest was made."
The detective said Cleveland Police had received hundreds of calls in response to appeals and urged anyone with information or anyone sheltering Allen to contact them.
'This is not a time for loyalty. There can be no loyalty at a time like this. This is the time to help the police,' he said. 'Now is the time to be public-spirited.'
Det Chf Sup Lang issued a further direct appeal to Allen to hand himself in: 'Give yourself up. Give yourself up now.
'You need to be in police custody, you know you need to be in police custody, you know what you've done.
'I think purely and simply by the tragic events that have unfolded, this is a man who cannot be at large, who needs to be arrested and that needs to happen as quickly as possible.'
Mr Lang warned residents to keep their homes secure and be careful when answering their doors.
Mr Dunford, who was last seen alive at around 5pm last Sunday, was found dead with serious head injuries at his terraced house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday after he failed to appear at Samuelsons Working Man's Club, where he was a daily visitor.
Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house.
Ms Davison, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square on Wednesday. She had also suffered serious head injuries, police said.
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