Peterborough Evening Telegraph
July 28, 2004

POLICE: New crack murder squad

A TEAM of detectives is being pulled together to form a crack
homicide squad.

Policemen with a track record in murder investigations will have
instant access to the latest scientific sleuthing technology, and the
ability to tackle major cases without delay.

The team will be led by Detective Superintendent David Hankins,
currently head of Peterborough CID, and will deal with unlawful
killings across the county.

The formation of the American-sounding squad comes after criticism of
Cambridgeshire Police Force’s handling of the murders by Ian Huntley
of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham.

The force was criticised by the Metropolitan police and Sir Michael
Bichard, for failing to request a vetting check on Huntley, losing
focus during the investigation, and because Cambridgeshire Chief
Constable Tom Lloyd remained on holiday in the early stages of the
inquiry.

Hywel Jarman, police spokesman, said: “We are looking to bolster
crime investigations, and part of our review has taken into account
things that have arisen out of Soham.

“But it is also about aligning our crime strategy with best practice
from other forces.”

Today, Det Supt Hankins promised: “We will be using the best
procedures from this country and from all over the world. But the
real benefit of the homicide unit to residents will be the degree of
expertise we will be able to build up in a relatively small team.

“That will help us investigate the most serious of crimes – murder.

“There are scientific advancements being made in crime detection
almost by the day. The things that can be now be done with DNA are
awe-inspiring.”

The homicide squad, to be launched in the autumn, will deal with all
unlawful killings, including murder and manslaughter.

During quiet times in the county it will deal with other major
crimes, but recent years suggest they will be kept busy.

In 2002 to 2003, there were nine murders, 23 attempted murders, and
11 manslaughter cases. In the last financial year, there were eight
murders, 21 attempted murders and 15 manslaughter investigations.

Officer already in charge of murder investigation

Det Supt Hankins is already leading the Farcet murder investigation
into the stabbing of Robert Bogle, on Tuesday, June 8, at 8.30pm.

Neither that team, nor the one investigating the murder of Armenian
Hovhannes Armirian, in Upton, in December 2002, which is being led by
Detective Chief Inspector Bert Deane, will be broken up.

But all new murders will be in the hands of the homicide unit.