Officers commended in Chief Constable Awards Ceremony for work on complex investigation

Thames Valley Police officers have been commended for their tireless work into an Organised Crime Group (OCG) investigation called Operation Jostle.

Detective Sergeant Tim Hawley, Sergeant Simon Travis, Detective Constable Sam Buzzard, Detective Constable Rebecca Preedy, Vehicle Examiner Supervisor Ben Matthews and Forensic Vehicle Examiner Tony Hurdle were commended at the Chief Constable Awards.   

Operation Jostle was a three-year operation into an OCG that stole vehicles with the intent of sending car parts abroad.

In April 2020, officers recovered 15 stolen car engines and made four arrests. They later revisited the site – as a part of their ongoing enquiries – and found a further 30 stolen car engines.

The OCG leader had forged receipts to show he’d bought the engines legitimately but was charged with 11 counts of handling stolen good and one count of perverting the course of justice.

He was found guilty of all 12 offences on 3 August 2023 and was given a six-year custodial sentence.

The value of the cars stolen was calculated to be in the region of £500,000.

This complex investigation required hundreds of hours of CCTV to be reviewed, extensive enquiries across the country, liaising with partner agencies and long working hours.

Upon hearing that he had been commended, DS Tim Hawley expressed his appreciation for everyone who worked on this operation.

He said: “I feel deeply honoured to receive such an award.

“Op Jostle was a protracted and complex investigation and the success is down to the skill and dedication to all the police officers and staff involved, including our colleges at the CPS.”

Sergeant Simon Travis said: “I am very happy to have been part of a team recognised for dealing with a complex investigation involving a national OCG.”

Ben Matthews echoed his colleagues’ comments and said: “It was great to receive this commendation, in recognition of the work of all our Forensic Vehicle Examiners on a risky and complex ‘chop-shop’ operation.

“As a specialty, whose work is often behind the scenes, it was much appreciated to be recognised in this way.”

Without the dedication and professionalism of the vehicle examiners, the true extranet of the criminal network would not have been disrupted.

To everyone involved in this investigation from its beginning, to its completion, we offer a very warm congratulations and thank you for your dedication and hard work.

You can make a difference in your community too. Start a career that matters, join our team at https://tvpcareers.co.uk

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