Beds police's investigative work highlighted in TV documentary

The show followed the force as they investigated a double murder in Houghton Regis

Defendants Anthony Bennison, on the left, and Nicholas Papworth, on the right
Author: Zoe Head-ThomasPublished 10th Jan 2024

The investigation of a double murder in Bedfordshire was followed closely by cameras in a two-part special of 24h In Police Custody.

In this case, police investigated the stabbing of three men which left two dead following a fight that erupted at a pub in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire.

The two men who unleashed the violent attack, which left behind a "scene of utter devastation", were sentenced to 72 years in prison.

Nicholas Papworth, 33 was given 34 years in prison. Anthony Bennison, 25, was sentenced to 38 years in prison. They were both found guilty of 12 offences, including three counts of murder, in July.

"We generated over 350 statements on this case, over 850 exhibits..."

For Bedfordshire Police, the documentary is an opportunity to showcase the hard work that goes into investigating violent crime and bring justice to the families.

Detective Constable Clare Seal, from the Major Crime Unit for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, who investigated the double murder, said: "It is to show the pieces of investigation, the amount of detail that goes into it."

"We generated over 350 statements on this case, over 850 exhibits. It was a long drawn out investigation, we don't leave any stone left unturned."

"It's probably the worst footage I've seen in my whole career and it's something that will stick with me forever."

Although the Major Crime Unit specialises in high profile cases, the process of investigating those crimes and the evidence shown to detectives can stay with them for the rest of their lives.

DC Seal said: "It's horrific, I was watching it last night and the memories it brought back to me, afterwards I couldn't get to sleep and the adrenaline was going again."

"It's probably the worst footage I've seen in my whole career and it's something that will stick with me forever."

Bedfordshire police are hoping the work they do, which was highlighted in the documentary, can help act as a deterrent and reiterate the message that no case is left behind, and they will do anything they can to get to the bottom of any crime.

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