A policeman who helped tackle a shocking spate of car vandalism across High Wycombe last year has received a commendation from the chief constable of Thames Valley Police.
More than 300 vehicles were targeted by vandals in an unprecedented spate of crime which hit the town over three months from March last year.
Residents in the town were left fearing the worst on a daily basis, with some people seeing their cars damaged on three separate occasions.
Five suspects were jailed for some of the crimes following a lengthy investigation, with one High Wycombe policeman being praised this week for his work.
TIMELINE: How events unfolded across High Wycombe between March and May.
PC David Cannon, of High Wycombe CID, received the commendation at a ceremony last night.
The commendation reflects his work as part of a team in an operation which followed a series of criminal damage offences to vehicles between March 14 and April 9, 2015.
Two of the five men also pleaded guilty to a separate series of arsons to vehicles which took place between 11 and 12 December, 2014.
The five men pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court sitting at Amersham on October 7, 2015.
Case files:
- Waqar Jamil, 20, of Alford Road: Pleaded guilty to causing damage to a series of vehicles belonging to others without lawful excuse on March 14, 2015. Sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation (£350), costs (£150) and a victim surcharge (£80).
- Iftikar Aslam, 22, of Chiltern Avenue: Pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, causing damage to a series of vehicles belonging to others without lawful excuse and arson on April 9. Sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, five months imprisonment and 15 months respectively and had to pay a victim surcharge (£100).
- Waqus Yasin, 21, of Rutland Avenue: Pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, causing damage to a series of vehicles belonging to others without lawful excuse and arson on April 9. Sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, five months imprisonment and 15 months respectively and had to pay a victim surcharge (£80).
- Khurum Hanif, 20, of Rutland Avenue: Pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, causing damage to a series of vehicles belonging to others without lawful excuse and arson on April 9. He also pleaded guilty to a series of arsons to vehicles on or about 11 December 2014. Hanif was sentenced to five years imprisonment for arson and 10 months imprisonment, five months imprisonment and 15 months imprisonment relating to theft, criminal damage and arson offences on April 9 2015.
- Aqib Jawaid, 18, of Deeds Grove: Pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, causing damage to a series of vehicles belonging to others without lawful excuse and arson on April 9. He also pleaded guilty to a series of arsons to vehicles on or about 11 December 2014. He will be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on November 4.
Speaking at the time, Supt Ed McLean, LPA commander for Wycombe, said: "I would like to highlight just what a complicated and difficult investigation this has been.
"My officers and staff have worked tirelessly to catch and convict those responsible for this unnecessary and unprecedented series of criminal damage which I know, affected so many in Wycombe."
Speaking after the ceremony, chief constable Francis Habgood said: "It always gives me great pleasure to present these commendations.
“They rightfully recognise and praise the dedication, courage and professionalism of those who go beyond their call of duty in often extremely difficult situations."
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