Vigilance can authoritatively confirm that the recently formed Specialist Crime Directorate 'Operation Weeting' team is conducting the new investigation into phone- hacking allegedly carried out by Rupert Murdoch's phone-hacking reporters.
Vigilance learnt that the Operation Weeting team are this time adopting a fresh approach towards informing victims and potential victims in this case.
A police statement said the new evidence recently provided by News International is being considered alongside material already in the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) possession to determine which lines of enquiry should be pursued as priorities. At the same time, the statement disclosed all actions and decisions taken by the previous investigation are being reviewed and all the evidence gathered to date is being checked to ensure it is catalogued correctly and accurately.
The team having begun an analysis of the documents seized in 2005 alongside the new evidence, have been able to make some links not previously identified. As a result, they have also identified some individuals who were previously advised that there was little or no information held by the MPS relating to them within the case papers and exhibits and this is now being reviewed.
The OWT said at this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that their voice mails were hacked but this will be an important and immediate new line of enquiry. As a result detectives are taking urgent steps to advise them of this development at the earliest opportunity. If any others are identified as possible victims in due course they will also be contacted.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, leading the new investigation, has promised the victims and the British public a thorough job: "I am conscious there remains significant interest in this case and we are determined to ensure that we conduct a robust and thorough investigation which will follow the evidence trail to its conclusion.
Adding: "We will build on the previous commitment to all those victims whose phones we already have reasonable evidence to believe may have been hacked by establishing or renewing contact with them. With this new investigation we will be as open as we can be and will show them all the information we hold about them, while giving them the opportunity to tell us anything that may be of concern to them.
DAC Akers said further: "In time, we will go beyond this group of individuals and make contact with everyone who had some of their personal contact details found in the documents seized in 2005. This will ensure all of those who have been affected in some way are made aware of the information we have found relating to them.
Akers won’t comment any further. Said she: "Until I am satisfied that we have validated the data we are re-examining I am not prepared to discuss any of the numbers involved, but I intend to make this information public at the earliest opportunity.”
She revealed the enormity of her team’s assignment: "This is clearly a major task with a considerable amount of work to be done which will take a significant amount of time and resources. We will complete this new investigation as soon as we possibly can, but I am unable to predict at this early stage as to how long it will take to complete.
"It would be inappropriate for me to discuss any further details regarding this case at this time."
In another development, Vigilance learnt the police have made further arrest in connection with Daniel Graham murder.
Police investigating the murder of Daniel Graham in East Dulwich on Saturday 29 January have today, Wednesday 9 February, arrested an 18-year-old man [C] on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. He was taken to a south London police station where he remains in custody.
He is said to be the second person to be arrested in connection with this incident.