Some of the county’s worst criminals have been locked up for a total of 390 years thanks to joined up crime busting by police from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit.
The tri force team launched in April 2012 and is made up of more than 170 detectives and staff who investigate major crimes across the three counties.
Detective superintendent Karena Thomas of the joint protective services command, said: “The cases the unit deal with can be extremely harrowing and have a profound impact on victims, their families and in some cases the wider community.
“Our main focus will always be to do the right thing for those affected by these horrendous crimes.
“Our specially trained officers and staff work around the clock to secure justice, ensuring some of the most dangerous offenders in our counties are put before the courts.”
In 2016 the unit has taken on 53 investigations including murder, manslaughter, stranger rape, kidnap and extortion as well as cold case (historic) offences.
At any one time the teams are investigating up to 50 cases across the three forces and provide specialist support and advice across the UK.
Det Sup Thomas continued: “We are dedicated to serving the public and are continuously looking at how to more effectively deliver our service more effectively.
“The work we do could not be achieved without the support of our colleagues from many other units across the three forces and I would like to thank not only my staff for their hard work, but all of our colleagues who work alongside us.”
The team have two bases, in Huntingdon and Welwyn Garden City, but can work from anywhere within the three counties depending where a major crime has occurred.
• Some of the results in Cambridgeshire
Operation Hollybrook – On February 15, 2016 Marius Micevicius was stabbed by Sarunas Masiulis at a house in Wisbech. The victim died the following day. The suspect fled the scene but was traced the next day and arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to life, with a minimum tariff of 11 years.
• Operation Fenton – Steven Stocks was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 20 years for murdering his partner Laraine Rayner at her home in Wisbech.
• Operation Sagan – On December 9, 2015, a prisoner was found dead in his cell at Peterborough prison having been assaulted. His cell mate was charged with murder and he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.
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