THE face of Oxford’s most wanted criminal will appear on Crimewatch tonight as police increase their hunt nationwide.

Rohan Crooks, 31, is wanted by police in connection with the attempted murder of man in a hit and run in Blackbird Leys last October.

Although there have been sightings of Crooks in Oxford and east London and his mugshot published around the region, he has yet to be found.

Det Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID, will appear on Crimewatch tonight as officers step up their appeal to track down Crooks, who is described by police as Oxford’s most wanted man.

Mr Morton said: “I am hoping that by appearing on the rogue gallery section someone will spot him and tell us where he is and enable us to arrest him.

“This is not a last throw of the dice. Irrespective of what happens on Monday evening and even if we don’t find him as a result of this appeal we’ll continue to hunt for him.

“Since October we’ve been working on this case continually and every scrap of intelligence and morsel of evidence has been examined and every line of enquiry has been followed up. But this doesn’t mean there isn’t more information and I’m hoping the public will provide us with more.

“Crooks is a violent offender and clearly dangerous.

“There have been sightings in Oxford since October but we believe there is a possibility he is in east London.”

Crimewatch will be screened on BBC 1 tonight from 9pm. Crooks will appear as one of the show’s most wanted in a rogues gallery.

Police believe Crooks was behind the wheel of a green Lexus car in a hit and run on at the junction of Blackbird Leys Road and Cuddesdon Way on October 9 last year.

Mr Morton said Crooks was seen arguing with a man outside Ladbrokes bookmakers shortly before 5.30pm.

During the incident one of the men waved a knife and shoppers were forced to hide in shop doorways.

The victim, named locally as Dean Francis, fled on a bicycle.

He was then involved in a collision with a green Lexus and his body was dragged under the car for about 40 feet. The injuries were so severe he was in hospital for almost a month and only began walking again in March this year.

Crooks is described as black, about 5ft 8in tall and slim.

He has distinctive green eyes and walks with bandy legs.

Police believe he may have changed his hairstyle since this photograph was taken.

Anyone with information on Crooks whereabouts should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk