Trevor Holden awarded for role in solving hundreds of bus crimes
Constable Trevor Holden, who is responsible for issuing CCTV images of suspects wanted for vandalism and other crimes on local buses, has been recognised for his role in helping solve hundreds of cases.
Constable Holden from the Transport Operational Command Unit ‘Operation Bustag’, received his award at a special ceremony organised by Crimestoppers.
A spokesperson for Crimestoppers said “This award highlights the success of the partnership approach towards solving crime - police, Crimestoppers and the media working together with the public to beat the criminals.”
Constable Trevor Holden is responsible for all images going out into the public domain including Crimestoppers, Local Authorities, Neighbourhood groups and local press across every London Borough. He keeps track of images on a Borough basis as well as by the specific Bus Routes the suspects were using at the time of the Offence.
Since op Bustag’s implementation Crimestoppers has submitted 302 actionable items of intelligence resulting in 171 arrests. In 2007 alone Crimestoppers have actioned 127 items and had 69 positive results.
Chief Superintendent Joe Royle, Transport Operational Command Unit said, "This is a prestigious and well deserved award for Operation BusTag. It recognises the unique CCTV reporting and investigation processes that BusTag has created, which also allows members of the public to remain anonymous when identifying suspects of bus criminal damage.
"Without successful identification there can be no arrests. The assistance of the local media and Neighbourhood Watch schemes in circulating images of bus criminal damage suspects is invaluable. By circulating the images across local areas there is an even stronger chance of identification through the local community to whom we are extremely grateful for all information received."
Trevor and his team have tripled the arrest rate of offenders of bus criminal damage, which takes the form of graffiti, window etching, seat and window damage, and arson. Over 95% of the 2,000 cases dealt with by BusTag have resulted in serious consequences for the offender, ranging from fines and community service to imprisonment.
The key to their successful investigations is through applying a forensic-style methodology to CCTV image identification. These images are then circulated within the Police and if they cannot be identified the images are then taken out into the public domain and circulated in local media - such as www.chiswickw4.com and www.ealingtoday.co.uk - local authorities and to schools. The public are then asked to contact either Crimestoppers or Operation Bustag with information. To date, over 600 members of the public have made that call.
December 13, 2007