Prolific offender jailed after community aids police manhunt
Public help leads to quick arrest and conviction
A 48-year-old man has been jailed for one year following a successful manhunt assisted by the public, focused on multiple vehicle offences in Bedfordshire.
Jamie Peck was wanted on suspicion of vehicle interference and theft from vehicles in the areas of Biggleswade and Shefford. An appeal was issued in April to locate him.
Arrest and investigations
Public information helped officers track Peck down, culminating in his arrest at Deepdale Wood near Sandy on 18th April.
The Operation Maze burglary unit and Biggleswade Community Policing team discovered Peck had committed 59 instances of vehicle interference, 13 thefts, criminal damage, and fraud by false representation with a stolen bank card used at a petrol station between 30th March and 9th April.
Moreover, Peck was connected to a business burglary in Biggleswade in November 2025, where a charity pot was stolen after a window was smashed with a hammer.
DNA and CCTV evidence linked Peck to these offences, showing him in identifiable clothing multiple times.
Guilty plea and sentence
Peck, with no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 76 offences and was sentenced on 4th June to a year behind bars.
Detective Constable Kevin Howes, who led the investigation, said:
“We fully recognise the impact that Peck’s offending had on the local community, and we were determined to locate and arrest him as quickly as possible.
“Thanks to the support from the public, we were able to bring the manhunt to a swift conclusion and ensure he was brought before the courts.
“By continuing to work together and sharing information with us, the public play a vital role in helping us be as effective and responsive as possible to tackle criminal activity and maintain the safety of our communities.”