Stay away warning to bounty hunters

Speaking in the village last night, area commander Chief Supt Mark Dennett warned people to be extra vigilant after earlier confirming there could be a risk to the general public.

He said: "Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk. Close your doors, close your windows, make sure you are safe in your houses. Please go about your normal business but with some vigilance."

Chief Supt Dennett urged dog walkers to stick to areas around the village. but denied the surrounding countryside was closed.

He was asked to comment on reports that people were searching the Rothbury countryside for Moat in a bid to collect the 10,000 reward.

"I am surprised by it and it is the first I've heard of it," he said. "It is exactly the same advice we are giving to members of the public – if you don't need to come to Rothbury, don't come to Rothbury."

Earlier, reading from a statement, Chief Supt Dennett said: "We still believe Mr Moat's main grievances are against the police.

"However, more information received indicates Mr Moat may now pose a threat to the wider public.

"There is a heightened risk but nothing to suggest Mr Moat is intending to target a specific part of the community.

"Our message is to go on with your business as usual but to be vigilant.

"If you see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, report it to the police immediately by dialling 999."

Rothbury remains at the centre of the huge manhunt for Moat, thought to be armed with one or two weapons and a stockpile of ammunition, as police search remote buildings and scour moorland.

But as the normally tranquil Northumberland village swarmed with armed and unarmed officers, a public meeting was held last night to reassure the local community.

Police have agreed to station officers at schools in the Rothbury area despite some parents being uneasy about the impact it could have on their children.

Speaking at the meeting, temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim said: "There is no specific threat against the schools, children or anybody else in the Rothbury area."

She added: "You are a village community and you do not want to close your village community down. We have massive police resources here to provide support."

Earlier, Det Chief Supt Neil Adamson, who is leading the hunt for Moat, suggested the fugitive may have access to a mobile phone.

He said: "There are several lines of inquiry in relation to how and if he is communicating with other people.

"There are numerous new lines of inquiry that have come to light in the past 24 hours, all of which are being progressed.

"I would once again like to express our desire to resolve this situation safely."

Meanwhile, the brother of police officer David Rathband, allegedly shot by Moat last weekend, paid tribute to him yesterday. Darren Rathband said: "My brother is an inspiration, not only to me. He should be an inspiration to everybody involved in this investigation.

"He wants to thank Northumbria officers and all the other officers from across the country who've come up here to resolve this incident."