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British Transport Police Reopen Ridgewell Corruption Review, 16 Victims Possible

6/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

British Transport Police assigned extra resources to a historic review of former Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell’s corruption after his 1980 conviction.
The force is re-examining 1970s records to determine if other convictions were tainted.
The Criminal Case Review Commission is reviewing three more cases, which could raise victims to sixteen.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 the Home Secretary Merlyn Rees ordered Operation Countryman, a £3 million probe that exposed endemic corruption in the Metropolitan and City of London police and forced more than 250 officers to resign. The investigation’s legacy of scrutiny resurfaces as the British Transport Police revisit former Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell’s 1980 conviction, applying the same demand for accountability.

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Story summary

British Transport Police assigned extra resources to a historic review of former Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell’s corruption after his 1980 conviction.
The force is re-examining 1970s records to determine if other convictions were tainted.
The Criminal Case Review Commission is reviewing three more cases, which could raise victims to sixteen.

1 / 2