Det Ch Insp Graham Smith - DIVISIONAL COMMENDATION
Det Con Mark Price - DIVISIONAL COMMENDATION
Christine Walters - DIVISIONAL COMMENDATION
Four vicious burglars were jailed for between eight and 16 years thanks to the work of five police officers, two police staff and a member of the Crown Prosecution Service, who have all received South Worcestershire Divisional Commendations.
Three of the men - masked and armed - forced their way into the isolated home of an elderly widower in Hadley, near Droitwich, and seriously assaulted him with a crowbar and pickaxe handle on 2nd December 2007.
While a fourth man waited outside with a vehicle, the three attackers tied up their victim, keeping him hostage for more than an hour during which they tortured him and ransacked his home.
“There was no money in the house and in their frustration the offenders hit and kicked the victim to force him to identify his PIN number,” said Ch. Supt. Jane Horwood, head of policing in South Worcestershire.
“He was finally left alone, tied, with complete disregard to his well-being while the offenders stole a shotgun, cameras and two watches of sentimental value.”
“What followed was a most frustrating and complex investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible.
“In March 2008 it was established that there was historic intelligence with another force naming three offenders responsible for the Hadley offence and painstaking enquiries began into the background of these prolific offenders with a history of arrests, but relatively few prosecutions.
“A plan was created by a small investigative team to build a prosecution case against them for other crimes with a view to arresting them and then covertly searching for evidence of their involvement in the Hadley offences.
“Although difficult, as all but one crime was in another police area, the team re-investigated known crimes these individuals had committed. In doing this other new crimes they were responsible for were identified,” added Ch. Supt. Horwood.
The four were arrested in July 2008 following search warrants in a major joint force firearms operation, after which seized footwear proved to be of high significance. Additionally, property stolen from the Hadley address was traced back to the offenders.
During the next four months sufficient evidence was assembled that, despite ‘no comment’ interviews, the four men were charged with robbery and remanded in custody. In January 2009 they were jailed after pleading guilty.
“The victim attended court with the investigating officers to hear sentencing and bring closure to the matter for him. He is extremely complimentary of the service he received from West Mercia Police,” added Ch. Supt. Horwood.
She then outlined the individual roles of those receiving the Divisional Awards:
• Det. Ch. Insp. Graham Smith, who headed the investigation, “ensured a dedicated and focused approach to a very complex investigation over an extended period of time. Victim contact was essential and demonstrated West Mercia's commitment to the communities we serve, ensuring confidence and satisfaction.
“A high degree of care and skill was required around managing intelligence, dealing with informants and witnesses, developing and leading a large joint Force operation in another area, dealing with suspects, ensuring a partnership approach with CPS and managing a process to turn defendants into witnesses.
• Det. Cons. Phil Colley and Allan Webster, joint ‘officers-in-case’, “discovered the suspects through their investigative competence while their suspect interview and witness management led to significant evidential discoveries that formed the foundation of the prosecution.”
• Act./Det. Sgt. David Hall, the disclosure officer, who - due to the size and complexity of the investigation - had a “particularly difficult task that required a sustained period of intensive work to ensure compliance.”
• Det. Con. Mark Price, the intelligence link, “managed numerous telecoms applications with quiet efficiency, ensuring attention to detail and availability for interpretation, despite the extra responsibilities.”
• Christine Walters, effectively the ‘office manager’ on the investigation, worked with Det. Insp. Wallis “through the complex processes of such an investigation, demonstrating a level of skill and expertise not expected from an Indexer.”
• Ken Crane, a retired officer called on periodically through the retained scheme, “played a significant role in following lines of enquiry around auctions, where stolen property was being disposed of, and debriefing victims and local policing officers in another Force area.”
• Peter Tooke, the Crown Prosecution Service Special Casework Lawyer - who was contacted early in the investigation when significant and serious evidential issues were identified - provided very detailed and pertinent advice to guide the investigating officers through the difficulties encountered, despite a heavy workload.
“What followed was an excellent example of partnership working where, despite differing roles, a very efficient and effective process developed to ensure the offenders were brought to justice.”
Det. Ch. Insp. Smith was commended for his outstanding leadership of a complex investigation and for his attention to detail, negotiating skills and determination that brought about the conviction of four dangerous criminals. He was also commended for the excellent service he provided to this vulnerable victim.
Det. Cons. Colley and Webster were commended for their detective ability, dedication and determination and Act./Det. Sgt. Hall, Det. Con. Price, Mrs Walters and Mr Crane for their attention to detail, dedication and determination to bring to justice four dangerous criminals.
Mr Tooke was commended for his dedication and commitment in providing detailed and pertinent advice to guide investigating officers.