Fugitive hunt focuses on London

James Bulger has a $1m bounty on his head

The worldwide hunt for one of the FBI's most wanted men is focusing on London after a series of sightings.

The Metropolitan Police have appealed for help from the public to track down James "Whitey" Bulger, 73, who is wanted for 18 murders in his native Boston, USA.

The Irish American gangster who has a $1m (£615,000) bounty on his head was spotted in Piccadilly in September last year and two FBI agents visited London last week.

The sighting was in the street near the Meridian Hotel on 10 September 2002 by a businessman who had also seen him in the hotel's gym in 1994.

Film spot

The businessman only realised the man might be Bulger when he later went to see the film Hannibal, starring Anthony Hopkins.

While watching it, he saw a scene featuring an FBI Most Wanted poster of Bulger and recognised it as the man he had seen twice before.

The businessman's information allowed the FBI to create a sketch of what Bulger looks like now.

Police have since established that Bulger set up a safe deposit box with Barclays Bank in Piccadilly, which was later moved to a branch in Mayfair.

Bulger's description

Around 5' 8" tall

Weighs around 11 stone

White hair, blue eyes

Pronounced Boston accent

Animal lover

Known to frequent libraries and historic sites

Suffers from angina and takes Atenolol medication

Officers searched the safe deposit box and found an Irish passport in Bulger's name, letters and a large amount of money in various currencies.

In the 1980s Bulger, the head of the so-called Winter Hill Gang, allegedly helped smuggle a cache of weapons from the US to the IRA.

Bulger went on the run in 1995 after being tipped off about an impending police raid.

He is thought to be travelling with his lover, Catherine Greig, a dental hygienist.

Bulger, who is on the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted People, is also suspected of drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.

Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Nigel Mawer said: "James Bulger should not be approached.

"Anyone knowing his whereabouts or who has information on him at all should contact police immediately."