ONE of Europe’s most wanted men is thought to be hiding out in Essex.

Polish armed robber Mariusz Kuliga, 21, is wanted by the Metropolitan Police’s extradition unit in connection with five armed robberies that took place in Krosno, Jedicze, Godows and Kombomia, in Poland, in March 2013.

The terrifying raids saw shop staff threatened with a dummy gun, and on three occasions he managed to get money.

In one incident he left empty handed, after a victim refused to give in to his demands, despite him hitting her in the face. Kuliga is a Polish national with known links to Barking and Dagenham, Newham and Essex.

The search is part of a nationwide hunt by the independent charity, Crimestoppers and the Met for Europe’s 17 most dangerous criminals thought to be hiding out in Britain.

They include suspected murderers, armed robbers, rapists and people traffickers, thought to be hiding out in Britain.

Detective Sergeant Peter Rance of the Met’s extradition unit, leading Operation Sunfire 4, said: “We believe these people are dangerous, so taking them out of our communities and putting them before the courts is of paramount importance.

“I urge the public to look closely at these pictures. Do you recognise the men? It may be they live next door to you, or you see them regularly elsewhere in your community.

“If you have information on their whereabouts, please tell Crimestoppers, so that we can arrest them. If you see them, call 999 and do not approach them.”

Crimestoppers operates a language line, where people can give information if English is not their first language.

All 17 suspects’ details – along with their pictures – will be on the Crimestoppers’ website, crimestoppers-uk.org/ mostwanted Anyone who sees Mariusz Kuliga should not approach him, but should ring 999 or 101.