Crimewatch appeal provides useful investigation avenues

Last week (September 30), PC Charis Halford appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live to appeal for information on Operation Ultrasonic.

Op Ultrasonic is a CID investigation into a series of thefts in Northampton in which the suspects are a group of women who primarily target the elderly.

There have been seven incidents in total and the oldest victim in this series was 96-years-old.

After exhausting the usual means of attempting to identify the offenders, PC Halford contacted Corporate Communications to see if they could arrange an appeal on Crimewatch Live.

Arrangements were made and PC Halford appeared on the BBC One programme last Monday morning where, alongside presenter Rav Wilding, she talked the audience through the crime series and appealed for information.

As a result, Crimewatch received a number of calls and emails which PC Halford and the team are now working through. 

Head of Crime - Detective Superintendent Kelly Glister said: “I’m pleased that our appeal on Crimewatch Live resulted in a number of calls and emails, and the team will be working through these to see if there any viable lines of enquiry we can follow.

“Appearing on Crimewatch Live in this way demonstrates our determination, as a Force, to use all the means available to us to tackle crime and do everything we can to bring the offenders to justice.

“I’d like to thank PC Halford for appearing on the show. She did a great job in representing Northamptonshire Police and came across really well.”

To watch the episode back, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0jtny2d