‘Something Not Right With Police Information’ | 28-Year-Old British 'White Male' Arrested

Breaking this morning, a 28 -year -old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Anne Whittacombe.Let's get reaction from Roy Ram, former Metropolitan Police detective.Hello, Roy.Good morning, Mark.It's really good to see you on the show and thank you for making the time.So we've had somebody that was arrested who has then been released by police and is no longer part of the investigation.

Now cops are speaking to a second man.

Yeah, I think it's quite interesting because when the first guy was arrested, the police were very quick to say that there was no political motive, it wasn't a terrorist offence, etc.And then shortly after that, this guy has been released.So I think that that was a sort of a premature conclusion, quite clearly.They've obviously worked, as they would say, at pace, and there is now a second person in custody.This looks a lot more interesting and a lot more solid and obviously motivation and the details of it will will be revealed over hopefully the coming days.I think what the police will be doing now is They will have conducted a very detailed forensic search of Ann Widdicombe's home, of all the circumstances of her murder.

And they will now be looking to see if there is correlating material at the suspect's home or in a vehicle that he's used, which will tie him to the scene.These days, forensic science is the most effective detective without any shadow of a doubt.It's unarguable.evidence and they will be looking for any DNA of Anne Whittacombe on the suspect and the reverse any DNA from the suspect in Anne Whittacombe's home and they will be conducting I think the most thorough scientific inquiries at both these addresses.

And you've suggested, Roy, based upon your capacious experience in law enforcement, that perhaps the statement from the police, the messaging that this was not a terror -related incident or politically motivated was premature.Do you think that the possibility that this might have been a targeted attack must remain on the table?

Yeah, absolutely.I mean, having said what they said about the attack, and then to have released the man that they had in custody, it doesn't hang together properly.So they've now got a different suspect.Well, if they're going to come back and say, yes, it's not political or it's not terrible, terror motivated, fine.But it's a different person, it's a different set of circumstances to those which the Assistant Chief Constable spoke of initially.So I think that at this moment it's way too early to rule anything out.

And is it possible for officers to quickly rule out a botched burglary?Roy, does it take long for cops to, you know, inspect a property and think, well, look, here are a lot of untouched valuables, therefore this was likely not a burglary?How might they form a view on that?

Well, okay, so they can look at the address, they can say what's there, what would a normal burglary, the usual burglary reveal, small electrical goods, cash, jewellery, etc.Yeah, you can look at all of that.But even that, you can't be absolutely certain because you don't know what may have happened to have perhaps interrupted that burglary, or Miss Whittacombe could have come home in the midst of it.There are too many variables at the early stages.of an investigation to rule anything out I think I think that You know, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances like, I don't know, written notes or graffiti or whatever, that gives you a very clear steer.In the early stage of an investigation, it's look, accumulate the information, look for the evidence, be as cautious and as careful as possible.

and then reflect on it.Don't jump to a conclusion.

Most definitely.Does the secluded nature of this property present its own challenges, Roy?

Yeah, I think it does.I mean, you know, any crime, police officers are always looking for witnesses.The first thing you go to any kind of scene, it's, did anybody see what happened?It's interesting, one of the first shouts that young police officers are told, you know, did anybody see what happened?Well, if you're in the middle of the countryside, the likelihood of witnesses reduces.Also, CCTV is a major, a major tool in any investigation that might not be available.

So that presents these difficulties.It also raises questions about how Miss Whittakam's address arrived as a target for whatever kind of crime it is.You don't come off the beaten track, as it were, and go to a remote location like this.It's pretty unusual.

Indeed, and sometimes there might be an important clue, such as a car, and it's being reported by the Telegraph, Roy, that a dark Volkswagen Golf Mk2 had reportedly been left in an unusual position near Anne's home.That's the sort of thing that the cops will be looking at.

Yes, they will.and you know if they've got a witness that says I saw this car it's a Golf Mk2 so I mean that in itself is interesting that the person who saw that car recognize it as a mark ii golf that means that they probably know something about motor vehicles and maybe petrol heads and they can give them a better description than somebody who says oh it was a small black car or whatever but but once they find that car they will want to literally take it apart have every every seat out going down the cracks in the vehicle to find any connection between that car and the murder of Miss Whittaker.When you start to look at forensic science, you're looking at something called a principle of exchange.And without being too boringly scientific about it, but you're looking for that tiny blood spot that may have transferred from a murderer's clothing to seating.So somebody could be involved in the crime, they could destroy their clothing, but without knowing that they would have transferred blood or hair, some tiny fragment of forensic evidence that might remain in that vehicle that can be the absolute key to solving the crime and providing really, really strong evidence for a prosecution.

Now, of course, the police arrested one individual who is now a free man and not part of the investigation.Somebody else is under arrest.We don't know how that's going to play out.Is there a worry and a concern, Roy, that this crime might remain unsolved?

No, I think there'll be enormous pressure on the police to solve this crime.I mean, you know, actually, the cops are pretty good at solving murders.Generally, if you look at the clear up rate on murders, it's pretty good.in these in these particular circumstances where you've got somebody like Miss Whittacombe, who was a very highly regarded public figure, you know, whatever your politics are.This was this was a conviction politician of enormous integrity who kind of exposed herself to the public through Strictly Come Dancing and all sorts.She's held in public affection.

So I think that there will be an enormous amount of effort being put into solving her crime.I think it's very unlikely that the police will not solve this crime.I think that we will see a resolution fairly quickly.

And do you think that, for example, the remarks by the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, that this looks to have been premeditated are unhelpful or is he entitled to his view?

No, he's entitled to his view.I think that there is inevitably going to be speculation about this.I think that, you know, you could argue that his remarks are based on the analysis of the circumstances, because it is a remote location.She is a public figure.You know, what led the person there?You could argue that initially there is evidence of of a planned attack, but I wait and see.

Most definitely.Roy, a great honour to have you on the show.It's always brilliant when we can receive your insight and your considered judgement, given your amazing experience as a top -level retired detective.Roy Ram there, former Met police officer.