Investigations overseas blocked by red tape, says Yard detective
A Scotland Yard detective has called for an end to red tape between international police forces amid fears it is hampering Met inquiries abroad.
The 48-year-old, who oversees the team investigating the racist murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence, is honoured in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Speaking after the announcement that she will receive the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service, she said forces should be able to contact each other directly. Ms Bailey gave the example of Robert Hughes, a former Oxford United footballer of south London, who suffered serious injuries after being stabbed and battered outside a Crete nightclub in 2008.
Efforts to bring six men to court had been hampered. Ms Bailey said: "We do not have direct contact with our counterparts in the Greek authorities because we have to use letters and protocols to reach them. It is a bit tortuous and Mr Hughes's mother also does not have direct access to a police officer in Greece."
Ms Bailey is one of the most senior and experienced woman detectives in the Met and has overseen the Stephen Lawrence case since his death 18 years ago. Gary Dobson, 35, and David Norris, 34, will face a jury over the killing at the Old Bailey in November.
She is planning to retire at the end of the trial and, with her husband, Guy Wikeley, open a ski resort in Austria for paraplegics and injured soldiers.
After joining the Met in 1981 she rose through the ranks as a detective and served as an investigating officer on homicide squads and the Operation Trident teams. Her inquiries have included the murder of Peter Walker, a 45-year-old choreographer in 1993, the first victim of serial killer Colin Ireland.
Ms Bailey also travelled to Africa to investigate the killing of Richard and Enid Eyeington, two Britons shot by gunmen while teaching in Somaliland in October 2003. She said of her award: "It is an honour and a complete surprise.
"I have the privilege of managing a number of teams who are very successful at what they do."
