Prolific offender jailed after public assist manhunt

Police are thanking the public for their help to track down a man wanted for a significant number of vehicle offences who has now been jailed.

An appeal was issued in April to locate 48-year-old Jamie Peck, who was wanted on suspicion of vehicle interference and theft from vehicles in the Biggleswade and Shefford areas.

Information from the public assisted officers during the manhunt, which concluded with Peck’s arrest at Deepdale Wood near Sandy on Saturday 18 April.

Officers from the force’s Operation Maze burglary unit and Biggleswade Community Policing team established Peck had committed 59 instances of vehicle interference, 13 thefts from motor vehicles, criminal damage, as well as fraud by false representation after using a stolen bank card at a petrol station, all committed between 30 March and 9 April.

Peck was also identified as responsible for a business burglary in Biggleswade in November 2025, using a hammer to smash the window and steal a charity pot.

He was identified through DNA and CCTV evidence, which captured him wearing the same distinctive clothing across several offences.

Peck, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to total of 76 offences and was sentenced on Thursday (4 June) to one year in prison. 

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.”