What is Operation Painter in BBC’s Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes?
A NEW powerful BBC show aims to find criminals who have committed sexual assault and never been caught.
Called Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes airs in two parts on BBC Two.
What is Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes about
Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes looks at the cutting-edge science in identifying the suspects in previously unsolved sex offences.
The series follows a group of determined detectives and the emotional stories of the victims at the heart of these cases.
Using the latest DNA techniques, this remarkable team from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire’s Major Crime Unit reinvestigate unsolved sexual offences dating back to the 1970s.
Across the UK, there are hundreds of thousands of unsolved sexual offences lying in police archives, and some go back decades.
This dedicated unit has thrown its weight behind a pioneering forensic and investigative project – to look once again at thousands of unsolved rape and sexual assault cases from the last 50 years.
In this compelling series, this group of detectives focus on three previously unsolved cases.
They will be seen looking at the case of three teenage girls who were attacked on the way home from school in the early 2000s.
They will also look at what happened to a 16-year-old boy who was raped whilst walking home through a park in 1983.
Finally viewers will see them examine the case of a woman who was kidnapped and raped after she got in a taxi on the way home from a night out in 1993.
The Unit has achieved great success, winning 90% of the cases it has taken to court, proving that there is no timescale on justice.
Detective Superintendent Foster said: “The significant trauma and personal consequence of what has happened to each of these victims has remained with them since they were subjected to these truly horrendous crimes.
“The Major Crime Unit, Scientific Services Unit and forensic providers have delivered exceptional evidential cases to secure justice for victims and will continue this vital work.
“I hope viewers will see our dedication to cold case investigation and be reassured we will thoroughly investigate all sexual offences.”
What is Operation Painter in Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes
Operation Painter was run by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.
It started in 2016 and began by combing through over five thousand unsolved rape and sexual assault cases.
It uses the latest forensic science to bring some justice to victims who believed their rapist would never be caught.
Detective Superintendent Carl Foster said: “Operation Painter is proof we will do all we can, no matter how many years it may take, to secure justice for victims of evil predators of sexual offences.
“In this case who thought they had got away with their crimes.”
How to watch Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes
Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes will air two episodes on BBC Two.
The series will kick off on May 20, 2024 and conclude on May 27, 2024.
You will also be able to watch it on the BBC iPlayer.
Advice for victims of sexual abuse
The police have this advice if you have been the victim of a sexual assault:
Becoming a victim of sexual assault is never your fault.
If you’ve been a victim, no matter how long ago the offence occurred, always report it to the police.
They have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation.
The constabulary also has several officers who are specially trained to provide support to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
You can report information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via their online web chat.
You can call the non-emergency number 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
You can also report a crime anonymously via the Crimestoppers website or by calling them on 0800 555 111.