Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit investigations
The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit (BHMCU) brings together the expertise of detectives from across the two forces to focus on tackling major crime.
The 145-strong dedicated team was the first combined major crime investigation team in Britain, which works across the two counties to give greater capacity for responding to the most serious crimes, such as murder and rape.
The BHMCU was set in 2007 and consistently produces high quality results both in terms of detecting and arresting offenders, as well as providing a quality service to victims of crime and their families at a critical time. The unit also supports work which has led to significant reductions in offences of violent crime.
It is made up of three teams led by Detective Chief Inspectors. A fourth team is responsible for investigative support, including major crime inquiry computer support, family liaison co-ordination and cold case investigation.
The progress of the Bedfordshire cases led by the teams are outlined below, to view cases dealt with by the BHMCU in Hertfordshire please click here
If YOU have any information which you think may assist any of the investigations, please contact the team telephone number and state the operation name. An answerphone is available out of hours.
Cases updated on July 29 2010
Quick Links
Team One – DCI Mark Ross
Contact: 01707 355959
Operation Paeon
The kidnapping of two Chinese nationals in Luton on January 28 2009. Chinese national Guo Ping Chen has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and Bing Chen to 12 and a half years for their kidnap and other similar offences committed in London. Two further males are awaiting trial set for October 2010.
Operation Pinnacle
The shooting of a man in Luton on April 22 2009 and the subsequent seizure of a large amount of heroin and cannabis resin. Zeshan Asmat, 20, of Atherstan Road, Luton, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for drugs trafficking offences. Umir Farooq Khalil, 26, of Ashton Road, Luton, has also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and received a sentence of 12 years. An appeal against his sentence was recently turned down. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The victim will be reinterviewed to decide how to proceed.
Operation Purl
The murder of 43-year-old Zafar KHALIQ who was found buried at the side of roadworks on the A421 near Brogborough, in Bedfordshire, on July 22 2010. Wayne Grimes, 36, of Shirley Road, Abbots Langley, in Hertfordshire, has been charged with murder and a second offence of preventing the lawful burial of his body. Kieran O’Brien, 29, of Peasecroft Road, Hemel Hempstead, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and preventing the lawful burial of Mr Khaliq's body. Both men have been remanded in custody and will appear at St Albans Crown Court for a plea hearing on October 25. A trial date was set for January 10 next year. Three others remain on police bail for being concerned in the murder and disposal Mr Khaliq's body. Enquiries are ongoing.
Team Two – DCI Melanie Burn
Contact: 01707 355798
Operation Ambergrist
A double rape investigation where a suspect has been linked by DNA evidence. On November 30 2007 a 15-year-old female was raped by a taxi driver at Totternhoe Knolls picnic area, after getting a taxi from the village of Eddlesborough. On December 15 2007 a 22-year-old female took a taxi from Dunstable High Street at 4am, after leaving Cubes Nightclub. On route home, the taxi stopped and the driver raped her. On each occasion the driver is described as an Asian male between 20 and 40-years-old with short dark hair and the taxi has been described as a black Hackney style taxi. Investigations are ongoing to trace the offender.
Operation Pore
The abduction of a man in Bury Park Road, Luton, on September 11 2009. Members of the public reported seeing a male being bundled into a car at about 2330. After tracing and identifying the victim, two men and one woman have been charged. Andrea Bretherton, 27, of Dagmar Road, London, Shem Hay, 29 and Aaron Saunders, 26, both of no fixed abode, have all been charged with kidnap and attempted robbery. Hay and Saunders have also been charged with GBH. Hay and Saunders have entered guilty pleas and are due to be sentenced after the trial of Bretherton, which has been fixed for November 22 2010.
Team Three – DCI Steve Collin
Contact: 01707 355666
Operation Granard
On September 1 2009 23-year-old Richard LONG was fatally shot in Lewsey Farm, Luton. Simeon Johnson, 18, has been jailed for a minimum term of 22 years and a 19-year-old man, who for legal reasons can only be known as ‘M, was given a minimum jail term of 26 years. Both were found guilty of murder at Luton Crown Court and Johnson also pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition, while ‘M’ pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon, two counts of possessing ammunition and possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He also received a concurrent sentence of 11 and half years for the gun and drug offences.
