A MAJOR crime unit working out of Huntingdon has led to almost 800 years jail time for “the most dangerous people in society” in its first year.

The new unit, a collaboration of detectives from across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, has been investigating murder, manslaughter, kidnap and extortion and many other major crimes across the three forces.

Over the first 12 months the unit’s work has led to 10 life sentences being passed down by the courts and a total of 792 years in prison for some “horrific crimes”.

The unit has two hubs, one in Huntingdon and one in Stevenage.

Detective Superintendent Jeff Hill said: “In this first year we have had some outstanding results in some complex and challenging investigations.

“The past 12 months has seen the conclusion of old cases, which had been dealt with by individual forces, and whole investigations progressed from initial investigation through to sentence.

“It all adds up to the most dangerous people in society being taken off the streets and making Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire safer places to live.”