OPERATION Dante – the code name for the police operation that snared serial killer Joanna Dennehy and her accomplice Gary Stretch in Herefordshire last April – has been recognised with a prestigious policing award.

The culmination of a nationwide manhunt, the role of Herefordshire officers in bringing the pair’s crime spree to an end was praised as “second to none” at the National Detective Forum in Brighton last week.

The Operation Dante team was named joint winner of the Detective Investigation of the Year Award, along with their Cambridgeshire counterpart, Operation Darcy.

Detective Superintendent Paul Williamson, who led the West Mercia investigation, said the quick work of Herefordshire cops prevented further “marauding attacks” by the killer couple.

He said: “It is a rare event for a serial killer to come to Hereford and our collective response as a force was second to none.

“This is a really proud moment for both investigation teams and shows how effective a joint and collaborative investigation with another force can be.”

After killing three times in Cambridgeshire, Dennehy fled to Hereford with her partner Gary Stretch, who was brought up in the county.

Within hours of stabbing dog-walkers Robin Bereza and John Rogers in the city, Dennehy – who was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year – was caught by police in Newton Farm, Hereford.

Stretch was apprehended soon after while attempting to flee, just outside Kington.

DS Williamson said: “The prompt and effective arrest of Joanne Dennehy and her accomplice, Gary Stretch, following their random attacks on two complete strangers on the streets of Hereford – and the evidence that we gathered – contributed significantly to ensuring these dangerous and callous offenders were locked up.

“Justice was served for the victims of their crimes, whose lives have been damaged forever.

“The award is testament to the officers who effected such a prompt arrest, which I have no doubt prevented further marauding attacks in Hereford.

“And to the team of detectives from Hereford CID and the Warwickshire and West Mercia Major Investigation Units who worked so hard to ensure their convictions.”

Gary Stretch was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his crimes of assisting the attempted murders of Mr Bereza and Mr Rogers.