Law Enforcements Top Financial Investigators Celebrated at Keith Hughes Award

The UK's finest in law enforcement financial investigation, came together today to celebrate the winners of the Keith Hughes Award for Excellence in Financial Investigation, at the Brit Oval in London.

Now in its fifth year, the awards which are open to all accredited financial investigators across the UK; recognises the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution within the financial investigation field to reduce the harm caused by crime.

The annual awards given in both team and individual categories were established in memory of Detective Constable Keith Hughes, a financial investigator with the former National Crime Squad who died from cancer in July 2003.

Attendees consisted of representatives from nominated and shortlisted teams and individuals, as well as previous winners. The award ceremony was hosted by Detective Superintendent, Ian Davidson, from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the awards and certificates were presented by the daughters of Keith Hughes, Leah and Megan Hughes.

The winners and runners up of the Keith Hughes Award for Excellence in Financial Investigation 2009 are listed:

Winners team award

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, Bristol Financial Investigation Unit.
Runners up team award

Department for Work and Pensions, Financial Investigations Unit.
Organised Crime Taskforce, Northern Ireland.

Winner individual award

Ruth Andrews, North Yorkshire Trading Standards.
Runners up individual award

Alan Brown, Wales Regional Asset Recovery Team.
Stuart Haigh, Lancashire Constabulary.

Also given at today's event was an award of Commendation from the President of ACPO to Mr John Dayman, for his contribution to the ACPO Financial Investigation and Proceeds of Crime portfolio over the last three years.

Ian Cruxton, Chairman of the Asset Recovery Working Group, said:

"The Keith Hughes Award for Excellence in Financial Investigation celebrates exceptional performance in this field and just to be nominated is an achievement, so I would like to congratulate the winners and everyone who took part. This year the judging panel saw nominations which drew attention to the great joint working partnerships between law enforcement agencies as well as innovative uses of the powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to disrupt and reduce harm caused by a range of criminal activities. This is a good indicator that financial investigation skills are being embedded as an effective law enforcement tool."

Detective Superintendent, Ian Davidson, National Co-ordinator, Financial Investigation and Proceeds of Crime Portfolio, Association of Chief Police Officers, said:

"These awards recognise the tenacity and dedication of those concerned, not just the winners but also the runners up and the other nominees. In past years the police have performed strongly in these awards but we recognise the hard work done by colleagues from other agencies and we in ACPO are very pleased to celebrate the achievements of all those involved. These awards are increasingly prestigious and recognise the contribution made by financial investigation in disrupting criminal activity and subsequently stopping criminals enjoying their criminal gains."

Steve Wilkinson, Training Manager, Proceeds of Crime Centre, National Policing Improvement Agency, said:

"Having been a judge of the Keith Hughes Award for a number of years, I can state that the cases conducted by Financial Investigators have always been of the highest quality. This year has been no exception and standards remain as high as ever. It was difficult to choose the winners this year, because we had an increase in the number of nominations and the cases were all exceptional. What has shone through from the nominations, is dedication, professionalism, commitment and above all a passion to ensure that 'Crime Does Not Pay!'."