The Major Investigation Team (MIT) deals with homicide
investigations, suspicious deaths and other serious crimes, such as
kidnap, gun crime and rape.
The purpose of the MIT is to deal with particularly large or
complicated investigations so that major crime incidents do not
affect the normal police work of officers from a particular area.
The team also support investigations led by the geographic policing
areas for complex or other serious crime.
The MIT both relies upon and coordinates the efforts of a host
of other specialist departments in its investigations. These
include:
- Forensics
- Fingerprints
- Crime Scene Investigators
- Search team
- Underwater search team
- Financial investigation
- Telecom investigation
- Air support team
- Hi Tech crime unit
There are additional dedicated specialists within the
department. The Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has
responsibility for managing the investigation from its outset until
it reaches court. He or she establishes the main lines of enquiry
and ensures that the investigation is properly resourced. Other
officers are specialists in areas such as managing exhibits, family
liaison, file preparation and interviewing witnesses and suspects.
There are also enquiry teams of detectives who follow inquiries and
gather the information needed for a particular case.
All of the Major Investigation Team’s investigating officers are
nationally accredited under a government scheme and are continually
involved in professional development to keep their skills
up-to-date with the latest techniques and legislation.
The team is managed by a Detective Superintendent
and Detective Chief Inspector, with a staff of six Detective
Inspectors, 15 Detective Sergeants and 45 Detective Constables.
The MIT has several Major Incident Rooms in police stations
across the Constabulary, including a central base at headquarters.
The Team will relocate and operate from any of those incident rooms
to ensure that they are in the best location to deal with any given
investigation.
The Team uses the HOLMES (Home Office Large Major Enquiry
System), which gives them the technological support to manage the
large amounts of information collated during a major investigation.
This categorises evidence, information and intelligence to ensure
that nothing is overlooked or duplicated, and that enquiries are
effectively prioritised.
From the outset of investigations, the Team works closely with
the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that successful prosecution
cases can be built in accordance with evidential rules and court
timescales.
Investigations (last updated 2nd February 2012)
| Operation Name |
Details |
Senior Investigating Officer |
Update |
| WORCESTER |
Investigation of the disappearance and murder of teenager
Shafilea Ahmed who went missing in Sept 2003; |
DCI Chris Ankers |
Iftikhar Ahmed and Farzana Ahmed charged with murder. Trial at
Chester Crown Court commencing on 8.5.12 |
| PISCES |
Investigation into the disappearance of John Iverson in January
2007. |
DCI Chris Ankers |
Mark Done and Paul Billington charged with murder. Trial at
Chester Crown Court 28.02.12 |
| MOSQUITO |
Corporate manslaughter of Bernard Rowson at Winsford May
2009 |
DI Terry Tinsley |
S. Coopers and Sons Ltd and Kenneth Thelwall charged with
manslaughter, and Health and Safety offences under Section 2 of the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Trial at Chester Crown Court
20.02.12 |
| TEE |
Murder of Wayne Bassnett in Hale in December 2011 |
DI Jo Miller |
Michael Eves charged with murder, attempted murder and assault.
Trial listed for 14.05.12 |
| FROZEN |
Murder of Muriel Richards in November 2010 |
DI Andy Harris |
Frederick James Richards found to be responsible for the death
of his wife. He is subjected to a hospital order under Section 37
of Mental Health Act 1984 |
| ACT |
Murder of Linda Bakewell in Widnes November 2010. |
DI Jo Miller |
Philips Martins found guilty of murder sentenced to minimum
term of 18 years imprisonment. |
| HELD |
Joint police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
investigation. Matthew Nixon died on 13/12/09, from carbon monoxide
poisoning, following use of petrol generator at work . |
DI Nigel Wenham |
Advice file submitted to CPS, decision made to take no criminal
prosecution. Further investigation by HSE. Coroners file. |
| CLOTH |
Domestic murder of Robert O’Raw in Warrington December
2010. |
DI Nigel Wenham |
Jayne Moore found guilty of manslaughter, sentenced to 8years
imprisonment. |
| FEELING |
Murder of Carl Chadwick at his home in Warrington January
2011 |
DI Nigel Wenham |
Heath Lee Jones pleaded guilty to murder sentenced to minimum
term of 18 years imprisonment |
| CLEAN |
Investigation into death of John Wright in Warrington March
2011 |
DI Dougie Shaw |
Stephen Whittle found guilty ,sentenced to 7 years for
manslaughter |
| DEPTH |
Murder of Martin Ithell at Frodsham on March 2011 |
DI Helen Spooner |
Scot Davison found guilty of murder sentenced to minimum term
of 30 year imprisonment. Rachel Horton pleaded guilty to
manslaughter received 8 years imprisonment |
| MERIT |
Grievous bodily harm with intent on Mark Clare at Widnes in
April 2011 |
DI Steve Jones |
Gary Whelan convicted of assault received 3 years
imprisonment |
| PAPERWORK |
Murder of Kelsey Shaw at Widnes April 2011 |
DCI Ankers |
Callum Wilcocks convicted of murder sentenced to minimum term
of 16 years imprisonment. |
| FLICKER |
Murder of Henry Morris at Warrington June 2011 |
DI Dougie Shaw |
Anthony Ogburn found guilty of manslaughter sentenced to
hospital order under Section 37 of Mental Health Act 1984 |
| STONEWARE |
Murder of Christopher Murphy at Warrington August 2011 |
DI Helen Spooner |
File submitted to CPS who advised no further action to be
taken. |
| IRONSTONE |
Suspicious death of Alex Newcombe at Widnes august 2011 |
DI Steve Jones |
File submitted to CPS to seek advice regarding charging
offenders |
The Major Investigations Team can be contacting by email on
mit@cheshire.pnn.police.uk