Tag: Teamwork

A Day in the Life of a National Crime Agency (NCA) Major Crime Support Manager

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to help crack a major investigation or achieve that critical breakthrough? This week, as part of our A Day in the Life series, we turn the spotlight on the National Crime Agency (NCA), an organisation that as well as leading the UK’s fight against serious organised crime, provides specialist expertise and vital support to frontline policing.

Today, we delve into the fascinating role of David Liddle, a manager in the NCA’s Major Crime Investigation Support unit. With his team, David plays a key part in supporting victims of devastating crimes and helping bring offenders to justice. Having had the privilege of working with David as a National Senior Investigating Officer Advisor, I’ve witnessed first-hand the exceptional dedication, expertise, and impact of his team.

Let’s hear directly from David as he takes us through a day in his life…

Can you tell us a little about your role at the NCA?

I’m a manager in Major Crime Investigative Support, which assists police forces when they have cases requiring specialist input.

My team is the first point of contact for police officers. We handle large numbers of requests seeking advice on investigations into murders, rapes, abductions, missing people and more.

It’s our role to provide support, drawing on our own experience as investigators and connecting forces with a large network of forensic experts.

These experts work outside the NCA but we can call upon them to provide expert opinion on a broad range of sometimes niche topics – everything from fires to psychiatry and wildlife to forensic linguistics, which involves analysing written language through text and WhatsApp messaging from digital devices.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a Crime Team Manager at the NCA?

I joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1992, after serving in the Royal Air force.

While I am not university educated, I was fortunate to have a very supportive family, including a father who mentored me through the early years of my police career.

My varied and successful career in policing culminated in me joining the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit in 2011, where I managed teams investigating murders and serious sexual assaults.

In 2013, when the NCA was formed, I spotted a vacancy in its Major Crime Investigation Support unit, which I saw as an excellent opportunity to grow my investigative knowledge and share experiences with colleagues across law enforcement. 

I got the job and haven’t looked back since.

How does your day start? (do you have a favourite breakfast?)

I’m an early riser – my alarm goes off at 5:15am. I head off to the gym because I enjoy the buzz of intensive exercise; it sets me up for the day.

My wife attends the gym with me, although she is far more disciplined than I! It allows us to spend some time together before we head off to work.

In support of a healthy lifestyle, I also follow the 16/8 intermittent fasting diet, so I don’t normally eat until midday. Poached eggs are my staple start to the day.  

What does a typical day involve?

Much of my day involves managing staff to ensure we get the job done, while also ensuring their welfare is taken care of. My team often have to provide time-critical advice on some very challenging and emotionally difficult cases.  

One of my favourite parts of the day is when I use my own experience and that of the experts I know to help police officers.

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?

I’ve always enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of policing. In my current role I get to help detectives with their challenges, to enhance their evidential opportunities and ultimately help them bring some of the most serious offenders to justice.  

I believe victims should be at the forefront of everything law enforcement does and I help achieve this by sharing the learning and best practice with officers across the country. The positive feedback I receive for this is extremely rewarding.

I also enjoy hearing about the successes from the team of interview specialists I manage, whose work entails interviewing vulnerable victims and witnesses in a way that is sensitive to their individual needs and experiences, but ensures they get the evidence required to help secure justice for them.

What would success in your role look like for you?

Success to me is driving up the standards of criminal investigations across the UK by supporting colleagues in police forces and ensuring I stay on top of my own professional development every year.

Success is also about helping my team members grow both in experience and confidence by providing inspiration, direction and encouragement.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are?

Balancing a career and education can be challenging, but university education offers police officers an excellent foundation on which to build their careers. It can support deeper critical thinking and enhance decision making.  

And lastly, what do you do for fun?

It’s not all work for me! I enjoy playing golf with friends, although maintaining a single-figure handicap is becoming increasing difficult as I get older.

I also enjoy spending time with my growing family, supporting my children and grandchildren where I can. I’m immensely proud of their achievements and I get great satisfaction from hearing about their successes.

I’m also a mentor for young people seeking a career in policing. To date I have supported 11 young people in their endeavours to become police officers and I enjoy hearing about their successes as the years go by. You don’t have to be a police officer to become a National Crime Agency officer.  Find out more about the wide range of roles at the National Crime Agency at www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/careers

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

A Day in the life of an IDVA

Author Claire Bowers | Posted on

We are fast approaching Christmas, an occasion generally regarded as one of the most wonderful times of the year. However for many, especially women, it is sadly the most dangerous time of the year, with a significant increase in risk of abuse and violence. The Christmas period typically sees a rise in police responses to domestic abuse incidents and a report by the NSPCC predicts that 15,000 children could be exposed to domestic violence over the two-week Christmas period.

According to the Office of National Statistics (2024), the police recorded approximately 1.4 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes in the year ending March 2024. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that unfortunately 2.3 million people (4.8%) aged 16 years and over (1.6 million women and 712,000 men) have experienced domestic abuse this year. These are sobering figures indeed. The police play a crucial role in taking ‘positive action‘ to protect victims, investigate and prevent domestic abuse, however this issue requires a multi-agency approach.

The period from Monday 25th November to Tuesday, 10th December, represented the annual 16 Days of Activism against domestic abuse. To mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, Next Link held candlelit vigils to highlight the number of women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.

Candle lit vigil to mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Photograph provided by Next Link.

 This week’s blog is written by Liz fromNext Link. Liz is an IDVA, which stands for Independent Domestic Violence Advisor. Next Linkis commissioned to provide IDVA services by South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset Councils, in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Every 10 minutes, partners and family members killed a woman intentionally in 2023 (United Nations, 2024)

Like all crisis response teams, Liz and her colleagues are an essential support resource, keeping people safe and empowered during the Christmas season and throughout the rest of the year.

IDVAs are a primary point of contact for victims of domestic abuse. They prioritise victim safety by providing crucial advocacy, emotional and practical assistance to reduce the risk posed by perpetrators of domestic abuse.   

Next Link Candle-lit vigil 2024. Photograph provided by Next Link.

This blog will help you to understand more about the important work that IDVAs do. Over to you Liz… 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become an IDVA? 

I have worked within support and trauma for 20 plus years! Yes, I am an oldie! Firstly, I worked within case management for under 25’s who had suffered a traumatic brain injury, often from a crime or negligence.  I worked with the whole family, co-ordinated a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and ensured a long-term plan was in place for them to rebuild their lives. 

I then started my family and when they went to school, I began working in trauma youth work and alternative education. 

“All of the children and young people were in care or secure units or pupil referral units (PRU). They were either care leavers, out of education, had severe mental health issues, or similar.”

I was often working within a large team of professionals from schools, police, youth offending teams, criminal justice service, children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) etc. I worked with children to build resilience and coping strategies, working through trauma and supporting them to reach their full potential. Domestic abuse was often a factor in their lives. 

“I had a break from this field for seven years as I became a survivor of domestic violence and stalking.”

After taking time to heal and work through my experience, I decided that I wanted to become an IDVA. I would not have been able to do all this without the support of my IDVA.

 “I wanted to turn something horrific into something empowering and support others.”

How does your day start?

I would like to say, meditating to the sun and having a green tea! But, in reality, it is a strong coffee and walking the hounds! Well, they are more the size of guinea pigs, but they still need walking! Then I am getting the tribe fed, out of the door and delivered to schools etc. before heading to work! 

What does a typical day involve?

There really is not a typical day for an IDVA…

“Much like the police, your day can be planned but you need to be responsive to victims and survivors needs. Risk can change quickly, so the priority is those at high risk of harm.” 

My day can be spent: 

  • Attending court. Often family court, but we have many cases at Magistrates and Crown Court. 
  • Support/advocacy at child protection meetings.  
  • Attending housing meetings for advocacy e.g. for emergency accommodation 
  • Appeals and support letters to access housing and other services. 
  • Support to give written or video statements to the police. 
  • Liaising with professionals in the criminal justice system e.g. Lighthouse and OIC’s to provide updates to the victim, ensure their voice is heard and assist in any way we can with the investigation. 
  • Safety planning, home-security referrals, co-ordinating with schools and services regarding safety. 

I work with the under 25’s who are living with domestic abuse, so I do some 1:1 work with them on safety planning, understanding their experiences, planning what they want to happen next and working with schools and social services.

I am also training to be an ISAC for South Gloucestershire. Many of the stalking cases will therefore come to me or other trained ISACs, and colleagues will also seek advice from us.

ISAC stands for Independent stalking advocacy caseworker and is a trained specialist who provides advice and support to anyone who has been the victim of Domestic Stalking 

As you can see it is very varied work, all with the common goal of helping victims to seek help and find safety by providing practical, emotional and legal support. We try to help victims to navigate the complex and often overwhelming criminal justice and family court systems they find themselves involved in.

How does your role link with policing?

“We work very closely with Lighthouse and Avon & Somerset Police.”

Often the referrals will come directly from the police where we will contact the OIC (Officer in charge) for a case update and ascertain what support the victim needs to support them with their investigation. We will work with the victim and police to facilitate as much as we can. This can range from requesting a ‘treat as urgent’ (TAU) marker on victim’s addresses, support at court and video interviews (Achieving Best Evidence) to support the victim during their process and liaising with police on any victim engagement and/or safety concerns.

“We advocate for the victim’s voice throughout the process and are a bridge between the police and the victim if needed, to achieve the best possible outcome.” 

As I am trained and understand the independence of my role, the police and CPS roles, I also can assist with ensuring the case is robust as possible for presenting to the CPS for a charging decision by supporting the victim to recognise the importance of evidence gathering/preservation and co-operating where they choose to do this. 

I was recently an IDVA on Operation Balearic which aimed to improve police investigations and provide support to victims immediately after a report had been made, whilst the suspect was in custody. Speaking to victims at this stage gave me a real understanding of Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the police’s role in the initial interaction with the victim. This enabled me to be able to more explain fully to the victim why certain questions are asked and what was currently happening. 

Sometimes we will challenge decisions if this is in the victim’s best interests. For example, I have suggested a case is looked at as a stalking charge, rather than as a breach of bail etc. and will encourage it to be reviewed by putting forward my rationale and evidence. 

“For victims, making informed choices and having control over the process makes a big difference in their recovery, as they have already been subject to controlling behaviours and had their choices taken away from them.”

What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?

“The most rewarding part of being an IDVA is when a very traumatised victim allows you to support them through an awful, disturbing and confusing time. This is a real privilege.”

Seeing their confidence build and get their lives back on track. Being present at the moment when they realise there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  

What would success in your role look like for you?

Survivors re-building secure futures and thriving. Not being a victim from domestic abuse again.

What do you see as the main benefits of a university education for police officers and what do you think the educational priorities are? 

A university education should teach a rounded and holistic approach to policing, with the opportunity to gain knowledge of the different areas.

“Empathy and compassion fatigue are a very real issue in this work. Educational priorities should include learning to look after yourself and having good boundaries. These are key to a lasting career.”  

And lastly, what do you do for fun? 

I am creative and often will be found in the garage upcycling some new find from the charity shop or Vinted! 

If you would like to learn more about Next Link and the important work that they do, you can visit their website or refer to their latest Impact Report and Guide to Services.

If you’re looking for more information on how to seek help for domestic abuse, the following links may be useful:

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.

Staff Spotlight on Dr Anne Eason

Author Claire Bowers | Posted on

This week’s blog for the ‘staff in the spotlight series’ needs little introduction to many. Dr Anne Eason is our much loved and respected Associate Director of Policing at UWE, with extensive academic and operational experience within criminal justice, ranging from probation and assessment and management of high risk of harm offenders, to research in police decision making in domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Anne represents the true essence of a ‘pracademic’ and has just published her second book with co-author Dr Rob Starr, entitled ‘The University Beat: Critical Reflections on the Delivery of Police Education In England and Wales.’ This book explores how the new degree routes draw together the evidence-based approaches of policing practices into a framework for educational study that meet policing needs, celebrating and drawing on the conceptual knowledge gained by UWE. And, for those of you that were wondering, her first book was ‘The Police Officers Guide to Academic Research.’ 

Anne embodies the perfect balance of practical expertise and academic insight, and since 2019 has been the cornerstone that has united and led so many, in partnership with UWE and Avon and Somerset Police, through the journey of professional policing degrees. We really enjoyed learning more about our Associate Director and we are sure that you will too. Over to you Anne… 

Could you tell us a little bit more about your role at UWE and the programmes you are involved with?

I am one of two Associate Directors of Policing and I am responsible for the strategic development of the PCDA and DHEP programmes (and more recently the PCEP) delivered in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police. I joint manage the policing team who teach, are part of the tripartite team and our administrator (who is the backbone of the EPA!) and develop new projects, programmes and research opportunities. Impressive huh? 

What previous experience do you bring to the role? 

My criminal justice background initially started when working within the drugs and alcohol arena. I used to run the needle exchanges and encountered many different people. Some from the sex industry, some from everyday jobs and homes, some who had been convicted of crimes. The latter really interested me and I soon started doing some voluntary work with the Probation Service. A few years later I did my training and worked with those who had committed a range of offences, but mainly violence and sexual violence.

As a Senior Probation Officer I was able to take a more strategic role public protection and multi-agency working, particularly MAPPA and really enjoyed empowering others to make change. In 2011 I took my first academic role teaching on a Police Foundation degree and an Offender Management degree and have been in academia since. 

What do you enjoy about working on the policing programmes? 

Let’s face it, crime and criminality is much more sophisticated, the intersectionality of victims is diverse, and the criminal justice sector has to respond to these intelligently and empathically. The policing role demands a better understanding of the issues that underpin crime and victimhood as well as a greater knowledge about crime itself; digital, cyber, domestic abuse, honour-based violence…the list goes on.

The best thing about working in this role is giving police officers the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge about crime, victims and criminality in the depth that allows them to make informed decisions about complex problems.

Our programmes offer the evidence-base and practical skills needed to tackle these challenges. Being able to accredit all this into a programme of study is a well-deserved award that they can take with them on their professional journey, but more importantly, can use from the outset. 

What do you consider to be your areas of specialism and research interest? 

Risk and risk management, trauma informed practices and police education. I like to think of myself as a pracademic, someone who can operationalise theory into practice, and see that as all part of my magic power. 

What is your funniest or favourite ‘on the job’ experience? 

I don’t think I should talk about my funniest experience as this is a family Blog! However, one of my favourite experiences is graduation, seeing the look on some of our graduates’ faces realising what they have achieved.

It is a great privilege to be invited to their in-house ceremony and I always feel quite humbled saying a few words in celebration. 

What’s one book or movie that has profoundly changed your perspective on policing and related issues? 

Hot Fuzz! I didn’t realise police officers could jump over hedges so well! Haha

Rob Reiner in his book, The Politics of the Police, helped me understand some of the cultural nuances of policing, and how and why the ‘police family’ has to exist (to a certain extent anyway). I also really like Matthew Syed’s Black Box Thinking which is on our students reading list too. 

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be? 

Cheese, definitely cheese. Cheese on toast, macaroni cheese, steak with stilton – just any cheese really…accompanied by a glass of Malbec of course! 

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.

UWE Policing Apprentice Spotlight

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Authors: Eve Smietanko and PC Jodie Norris

This week’s UWE Policing blog turns the spotlight on Police Constable Jodie Norris. Jodie is a police officer with Avon and Somerset and is a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) student here at the University of the West of England (UWE). In the short time since he joined, he has made a big impression. Jodie has taken an active role within the PCDA as a student representative, acting as the voice of the PCDA student body.  He is also a valued member of his response team. Back in March Jodie was nominated for the ‘Officer of the Year’ award. Eve caught up with him to find out how that went, why he loves the job he does and whether he has any tips for new students…

Please tell me a little bit about your career so far.

I originally joined Avon and Somerset Police as a PCSO in 2019, working initially in Somerset West before transferring to Taunton. It was never my intention to become a Police Officer as I really enjoyed the community level work which comes as being a part of the neighbourhood team. However, as my career progressed, I found I wanted to do more. Whilst in Taunton I was very lucky to work with a great team, particularly a PCSO Supervisor named Sharon Baker who was so supportive of my progression. I was a Hate Crime Tactical Advisor and a tutor. A position came up as an acting PCSO supervisor which I applied for and was successful. I enjoyed the training and the role, however felt that it was not the right time for me to be more office based. I started working a lot of overtime, working side by side with response officers and got to see more about the PC role. Initially I was put off by the PCDA programme and having to go back into education, however the more I learned about the programme, the more it started to interest me. Eventually, I applied for the role of a PC and was successful and was lucky to be posted to Taunton working with response Team 3.

As a PC I have undergone a lot of additional training already, I have tried to upskill as much as possible and I have found a bit of an affinity for traffic related incidents. After my time on response, I hope to return to Neighbourhood policing, however the ultimate goal would be to join the Roads Policing Unit before looking at studying to become a Sergeant. I enjoyed my role as a Tutor when I was a PCSO and later in my career hope there is scope to return to training, either within the PDU or something with UWE.

Congratulations on being nominated for ‘Officer of the Year’, the ceremony was held on 12th March, how did you get on?

Unfortunately, I did not win, however I was not disappointed, sitting and listening to all the amazing stories of so many brilliant officers and staff, just to be in the room was a reward it in self. We do not do this role for the thanks; however it is always nice to be recognised.

Could you explain what the award is and what the ceremony was like?

I was nominated for ‘Police Officer of the Year’. The ceremony was glamourous and fun, officers and police staff of all ranks and roles coming together, enjoying an evening of each other’s company, talking about their experiences, having a lovely meal and a drink or two. Everyone was dressed formally and I got to wear the Police No1 uniform, being a tunic. I was allowed to bring along a guest, which was my wife Victoria, who has been so supportive of my journey into policing and I couldn’t have done this without her.

How did it feel to be nominated?

I was shocked to find out I had been nominated but even more to be shortlisted. The final came down to 3 officers. I am honoured to be considered along with the other amazing people; I feel very humbled by the whole experience, especially with so many of my peers approaching me to say congratulations and to wish me good luck.

You have clearly been recognised for your achievements as an officer but what is it that encourages you to keep up the good work?

The main reason I keep doing the work I do, is for my family. I have 4 children and an amazing wife. I want my children to see the work I do and understand that they can make a difference. I want them to be as proud of me as I am of all of them and I’m sure they will go on to do amazing things. I want to help keep the world they live in a little safer.

I also see so many people and families who are not as fortunate to have what I have and if I can help change things, whether that be through removing someone from their lives that harms them, putting in a social care referral or even just being there to hold their hand and say everything is going to be ok, that gives me the motivation to keep going.

Finally, I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by some of the most inspiring people I have ever worked with. I might be biased, but Team 3 Base 5, from front line officers to the custody team are the best. All are extremely hard working and supportive, I don’t think I would have been able to push myself as hard as I have without them.

There is a lot of talk at the moment of morale within policing being low, how do you stay positive and what is your advice to other officers?

Being on response is one of the most stressful jobs I have ever had. policing is certainly not what you see on the TV, with a lot of incidents we attend being more social related than policing. Sometimes you do wonder why we are going to things. We are under constant scrutiny and sometimes it feels like everyone has it in for the police. However, I have often felt it’s the smallest percentage who have the loudest voice. Good news doesn’t sell newspapers, so of course a good news story very rarely gets shared, but so often over my career I have had members of the public walk up to me and thank me for my service and this just reminds me that we do still have the support of the public. One of my favourite parts of this job is when you see a child smile and wave and they seem to be excited to see a police officer.

If I had any advice for other officers, it would be to just remember, we only really deal with people at their absolute lowest point and most of them are not happy to see us. We are either arresting them, detaining them under 136, stop searching etc or ruining their evening by telling them to go home after having a few too many drinks. In very few other jobs, do the people you deal with have an instant distain for you. However, this is only the smallest percentage of the population. If you think about all those victims we’ve helped, those people we’ve pulled off bridges, that social care referral that gives a child that better life etc, it really makes it all worth it.

You joined the police through the PCDA programme at UWE. How do you think this experience helped you become a good police officer?

Before my first day at UWE, it had been 23 years since I was last time I was in education and I was very nervous, however I have found the UWE side of role surprisingly enjoyable, not just learning about the laws and legislation, but about why these things exist.  The history of policing and how / why things progress as society changes. I often feel a lot better equipped to deal with my role thanks to this background knowledge I have gained from my studies. I have particularly enjoyed learning about the reasons why individuals commit offences and early intervention / preventative measure we can do.  I am now 18 months into my role as a student officer. I am both a cohort rep and the whole PCDA / DHEP programme rep. I am looking forward to completing my degree over the next 18 months.

We would like to thank Jodie for sharing his journey on the PCDA at UWE Bristol. His dedication and commitment to both studies and operational delivery are truly inspiring and his story not only highlights the challenges and rewards of this path but also serves as a motivating example for future apprentices. We greatly appreciate Jodie’s openness and the insights provided and wish him and all UWE PCDA apprentices the best of luck as they continue to grow and make a positive impact in their policing careers.

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

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If you would like to contribute as a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

Check out the ‘World’s most Dangerous Prisoners’ on 5Action tonight

Author Paul Williamson | Posted on

Last year, I was invited to contribute to the series ‘World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners’ which looks at offenders whose shocking crimes earned them a whole-life tariff behind bars. Tonight’s episode focuses on Joanna Dennehy who fits the generally accepted definition of a serial killer having committed three calculated and brutal murders with a ‘cooling off’ period between the killings (Farrell, Keppel and Titterington, 2011). Having developed a taste for killing, Dennehy then attempted to murder two random strangers.

Women who commit serial killings are rare and research into victim relationships and motivations lags male offenders (Farrell, Keppel and Titterington, 2011). My aim in this blog is to reflect on my involvement in this infamous case and briefly highlight some of the keys to success as well as exploring why Dennehy will never be released from a life behind bars.

The Investigation

This major Investigation began on Saturday 30 March 2013 after Cambridgeshire Police discovered the body of a man who had been reported missing. The body had been staged in what could be considered an act of humiliation. A murder investigation was commenced, led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) Martin Brunning of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Collaboration Unit. Unknown to Martin at that time, Dennehy had already killed two other men.

By this time, Dennehy and her accomplice Gary Stretch were already on the run. On 2 April both made their way to Hereford in the West Mercia Force area where Dennehy told Stretch that she wanted to kill again: “I want my fun… I need you to get my fun” (Cawley, 2014). Dennehy specifically requested that Stretch find male victims, not women or children. Stretch then drove around Hereford where Dennehy stabbed two men out walking their dogs in random separate attacks within 20-minutes of each other. Both men were callously attacked from behind and the injuries inflicted were horrific. In the second attack alone, the victim suffered 30 stab wounds. Miraculously both survived despite suffering near fatal injuries and I was appointed as the SIO for this investigation.  

Success factors and the crucial role of First Responders

We teach our UWE Police apprentices that the key to success for investigations largely lies in ‘making the right decisions, taking the right action and securing evidence’ (Cook and Tattersall, 2014, p. 64) by following the ‘golden hours’ principle. You often only get one chance to get things right.

For many of the response officers involved, this will have been one of the most important incidents they will have dealt with in their careers. Through their rapid and professional response, Dennehy was captured near to the scene of the second attack in Hereford in what was a dramatic moment for the investigation. Stretch was also quickly arrested some miles away following an extensive manhunt. I firmly believe that the actions of the responding officers prevented further attacks. What they did was get the building block principles, including:

  • The priority and fast response to protect life.
  • Preservation of the two attack scenes north and south of the river Wye which dissects the city.
  • Securing evidence and initial accounts from victims and key witnesses.
  • Identification of the victims.
  • The first victim was able to describe their attacker as a woman with a distinctive star tattoo on her face and Dennehy was identified as the prime suspect. An area search quickly resulted in her arrest and recovery of Archie the dog stolen from the second Hereford attack victim. The significant statement made by Dennehy admitting to killing ‘him’ was recorded.
  • The arresting officers also recovered other key evidence including a blood-stained knife and clothing. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a camera bizarrely containing photos taken by Dennehy and Stretch in the days leading up to the attacks.

It was only on the day following her arrest that the true extent of her killing spree became apparent with the discovery of two further murder victims in Cambridgeshire. In common with research on female serial killers, all the Cambridgeshire victims were known to Dennehy (Hickey, 2015) and were stabbed to death and callously dumped in ditches in what came to be known as the ‘Peterborough Ditch’ murders. By contrast, a distinguishing feature of the Hereford attacks were that they were committed on strangers with no apparent motive. Dennehy had clearly developed a ‘moreish’ taste to kill (Judiciary of England and Wales, 2014, p.18).

Teamwork

It was agreed that I would take primacy for the joint investigation due to having the greatest chance of successfully resolving the case. In the glare of significant public, media, and organisational attention, the pace of investigation was intense and effective cross border working between forces was essential. Both Martin and I worked hard in these initial stages to find practical solutions to the problems and challenges that arose. The joint working between our teams and effective sharing of information enabled us to maximise evidence gathering. As the pace slowed and primacy for the joint investigation passed over to Martin and his team, we formalised this joint working in a Memorandum of Understanding which was crucial in maintaining focus on the main lines of enquiry and building a successful prosecution case.  The professionalism in handling of the case later drew significant organisational and media praise (Knight, 2014) which the whole team was proud of.  

Sentencing a serial killer

Dennehy was convicted of the three murders and two attempted murders in February 2014. She was the first woman sentenced by a Judge to serve a whole-life term (Judiciary of England and Wales, 2014). In 2023, Lucy Letby became the second female serial killer sentenced by a Judge to a whole life term (Thomas, 2023). The only two other women in English criminal history to be assessed as so dangerous never to be released were Myra Hindley and Rosemary West who instead were ordered not to be released by the then Home Secretary.

Dennehy was not a sophisticated criminal who was used to concealing evidence and actions from the police. Dennehy’s actions were however, shocking not only for their brutality, but also because female serial killers are relatively rare, only accounting for 15% (Farrell, Keppell and Titterington, 2011). This rarity, combined with the extreme violence of Dennehy’s crimes, has contributed to her notoriety and the international media attention surrounding her case.

As well as having a professional interest in crime investigation, I also have an academic interest in the theories and principles central to criminology and criminal psychology having competed a MSc in this subject. Before the Dennehy case I remember one of my assignments being titled ‘Do real psychopaths exist’. We do not have the time to go in-depth on this, but it is interesting to compare the Dennehy case with some psychopathy traits:

  • The interpersonal traits of a psychopath include ‘superficial charm…and the manipulation of others’ (FBI, 2005). Dennehy clearly exercised control and manipulation over men in her life.  Dennehy also sought to regain control at trial by pleading guilty to the surprise of her Defence team (Cawley, 2014). The Judge in sentencing Dennehy commented that she was a ‘…manipulative serial killer’ (Judiciary of England and Wales, 2014, p.1).  
  • Sentencing comments also showed how the murders involved ‘sexual and sadistic conduct’ and that Dennehy saw the killings as a kind of fetish. Research indicates that ‘violence and sexual gratification are inexplicably intertwined’ in serial killers’ motivations (FBI, 2005).
  • Another psychopathy trait is lack of remorse or guilt. Mr Justice Spencer made it clear that Dennehy had ‘shown no genuine remorse’ (Judiciary of England and Wales, 2014, p.18).
  • Research also shows that psychopaths ‘are extremely callous in their interactions with their victims’ (FBI, 2015). The surviving victims of the Hereford attacks both recounted how Dennehy was so cold, cruel, and calculated, showing no emotion other than wanting to stab them some more (Cawley, 2014).
  • Another common trait is sensation seeking (FBI, 2005). Dennehy was said to have revelled in the notoriety of being Britain’s most wanted person and whilst on the run, compared herself and Stretch to the US robbers Bonnie and Clyde (Cawley, 2014).

These traits along with the heinous nature of her crimes explain why Joanna Dennehy will never be set free. You can find out more about the Dennehy case by watching the ‘World’s most Dangerous Prisoners’ on 5Action at 9pm tonight. It is available to watch on SKY (current channel 150) Virgin (current channel 130) and Freeview (current channel 33), and Channel 5 on demand service My5.

References

Cawley, L. (2014) Joanne Dennehy: The woman who murdered men ‘for fun’. BBC [online] 12 February 2014. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25669206 [Accessed 22 January 2024].

Cook and Tattersall (2014). Blackstone’s Senior Investigating Officers’ Handbook (3rd Ed.) Oxford University Press. 

Farrell, A. L., Keppel, R. D., & Titterington, V. B. (2011). Lethal Ladies: Revisiting What We Know About Female Serial Murderers. Homicide Studies, 15(3), pp. 228–252. [Accessed 22 January 2024].

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (2005) Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators. Behavioural Analysis Unit National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. Available from: https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder [Accessed 22 January 2024].

Hickey. (2015). Serial Murderers and Their Victims (7th edition.). Cengage Learning.

Judiciary of England and Wales (2014). The Queen ‐v‐ Joanne Christine Dennehy   Gary John Stretch   Leslie Paul Layton  Robert James Moore In the Crown Court at Cambridge sitting at the Central Criminal Court 28 February 2014 Sentencing remarks of Mr Justice Spencer. Available from: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/the-queen-v-dennehy-sentencing-remarks-28022014.pdf [Accessed 22 January 2024].

Knight, A. (2014) Top Cops praised for serial killer snare. Hereford Times [online] 29 October 2014. Available from: https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11566002.top-cops-praised-for-serial-killer-snare/ [Accessed 22 January 2024.

Thomas, T. (2023) Lucy Letby sentenced to whole-life jail term after murdering seven babies. The Guardian [online] 21 August 2023. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/aug/21/lucy-letby-sentencing-hearing-life-sentence-updates [Accessed 22 January 2023].

Editorial Team

Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer); Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer) & Micah Hassell (Senior Lecturer).

If you would like to contribute as a guest blogger, please contact Police.Blog@uwe.ac.uk

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