A senior Hertfordshire cop, who led the UK’s largest ever blackmail case, has been awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal.

In 2019, as Assistant Chief Constable Bill Jephson led the national response to Operation Hancock – the largest blackmail investigation ever conducted in the UK.

Now, as Hertfordshire’s Deputy Chief Constable he has received the Queen’s Policing Medal in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Operation Hancock revolved around the contamination of baby food with metal blades. These were used to attempt to blackmail Tesco for over a million pounds in Bitcoin, on the threat that babies would be injured if they did not pay.

As the Gold Commander he brought together a wide spectrum of law enforcement agencies together with other Government agencies to support the investigation and bring the two year hunt to a successful conclusion.

DCC Jephson said: “I am delighted to receive this honour. Being part of the policing effort is an absolute privilege and one that continues to inspire me.

"Hertfordshire is a Constabulary made up of fantastic people whose purpose is to serve the public and I am extremely proud to be part of this organisation.”

DCC Jephson joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1991, before transferring to Hertfordshire in 2007. He built up extensive experience as a detective, mainly in the major crime arena.

As a Detective Superintendent, he led a review of the Riley Workman murder case in Stocking Pelham which resulted in a successful conviction in 2012.

As Assistant Chief Constable he held the responsibility for Hertfordshire’s local policing, safeguarding and serious and organised crime command for over six years. DCC Jephson was then appointed Deputy Chief Constable in 2021.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: “I am delighted that Bill has been recognised with this award. He makes an outstanding contribution to policing both in Hertfordshire and nationally.

“His huge personal and professional commitment to the force and to officers and staff within the organisation is obvious to anyone who works with him, as is his eye for detail and his almost forensic approach to tackling issues.

“He is a huge asset to the force and I like many others feel privileged to work alongside him.”