On Saturday August 1 John Rocks, 37, was detained by the Spanish National Police, following an investigation launched in Scotland in 2024 after several sexual assaults were committed between 2012 and 202204:12, 06 Aug 2026Updated 04:21, 06 Aug 2026One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Madrid.On Saturday August 1 John Rocks, 37, was detained by the Spanish National Police, following an investigation launched in Scotland in 2024.Spanish National Police officers have arrested him wanted by British authorities for several sexual assault offenses, in Madrid."He was a fugitive from justice in his country and was subject to an international arrest warrant issued by British authorities. He was listed in the UK's most wanted fugitives campaign, launched by the organization CrimeStoppers."The investigation began in 2024 after police in the UK reported several sexual assaults committed between 2012 and 2022. The alleged perpetrator, a British national, is believed to be hiding in Spain. The British officers investigated the serious acts of sexual assault against several victims, some of whom were in a relationship with the suspect at the time of the incidents.The National Police said he had been concealing his identity and living a “nomadic life”.In a statement, the force said: “The investigation began in 2024 after police in the UK reported several sexual assaults committed between 2012 and 2022.”An international warrant had been issued for his arrest in February, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) has thanked Spain’s police for their “excellent work” in detaining him.Content cannot be displayed without consentPolice had initially searched for Rocks in the Alicante town of Benidorm, before further evidence led them to Madrid. The force said a surveillance operation was set up on a central street in Spain’s capital.It added: “The actions taken to locate the target included several trips to Benidorm, as well as numerous surveillance operations and on-site checks at places he frequented.“These efforts allowed investigators to establish patterns of behaviour, obtain clues about his possible location, and identify third parties who might be assisting him. The investigation proved particularly complex due to the concealment measures taken by the wanted man.“During the operation, the target, who was wearing a cap and glasses to partially conceal his face, was located and arrested.”Rick Jones, international director of the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), said: "This arrest marks the 101st arrest in Operation Captura, a multi-agency campaign aimed at tracking down the UK's most wanted individuals in Spain.Article continues below"I pay tribute to the excellent work of our colleagues in the Spanish National Police who made this possible."Working with them, and other law enforcement partners, we are determined to do all we can to ensure fugitives are returned to face the courts."