More than 13,000 criminals on the run after skipping court bail for offences including rape and murder

Some of the oldest unfulfilled warrants date back to the 1980s

The National Police Chief Council says it decides who to pursue based on the severity of the offence (Getty Images)

More than 13,000 suspected and convicted criminals facing charges including rape and murder are on the run after skipping bail.

Several forces in England have more than 1,000 outstanding warrants, some dating back 30 years, for individuals who failed to turn up at court hearings.

The London Metropolitan Police, West Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, Greater Manchester Police and Thames Valley Police reportedly have the greatest numbers of outstanding warrants.

According to figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request, the warrants included those suspected or convicted of fraud, drugs offences, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, child abuse, rape and murder.

The oldest outstanding warrant relates to a man accused of attacking a police constable in 1980.

David Padgett, from charity Victim Support, told the BBC victims often live in fear of reprisals if the perpetrator is still at liberty - particularly if they were convicted before absconding.

He said: "This can play on how people recover from their crime. It is pretty awful to find out someone has gone on the run. If that person suddenly appeared, can you imagine how that would be?

"Some of these people are accused of some really nasty offences; rapes and grievous bodily harm."

The National Police Chiefs’ Council leader for criminal justice performance, Deputy Chief Constable Gary Knighton, said officers based their decision on who to pursue based on the severity of the offence.

Once a warrant is issued it is circulated on the Police National Computer.