£5,000 reward offered for information on whereabouts of fugitive cocaine dealer

We're offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information we receive that leads to the arrest of Matthew Purves, wanted for serious drug-related offences.  

Purves is wanted in connection with a conspiracy to supply cocaine (a Class A drug) across the UK between November 2019 and February 2021. 

The investigation, built on EncroChat evidence (EncroChat was a Europe-wide communications network used by criminals which the police were able to infiltrate and destroy), saw members of a cocaine network jailed for a total of 67 years. 

Purves, who has links to Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, is also wanted on recall to prison, having been liable for return to prison since February 2021. 

Do you have information which could help? You can tell us what you know and remain 100% anononymous - no police, no courts, no witness statements. Call free any time of day or night on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

“Communities living under the shadow of drug supply suffer daily – the violence, exploitation and harm it brings can be profound. 

“Matthew Purves has been wanted for some time, and somebody out there knows where he is. Through our charity, you can speak up and stay completely anonymous.  No matter how small the detail, please tell us today.

“Crimestoppers is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We cannot trace your call or track your IP address. No one will ever know you contacted us. This means no police, no courts, no witness statements. You may think your information is insignificant, however it could make all the difference.”

Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers' East Midlands Regional Manager 

Crimestoppers, as a charity which is independent of the police, is supporting this investigation by offering a reward for information we exclusively receive that leads to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible.

Anonymity: We guarantee complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.
 
Claiming a reward: The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling us on 0800 555 111. If you contact our charity anonymously via our online form, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used, and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact with us.
 
Read more about our rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous.

29 September 2025