Yard pinpoints would-be murderers

A Scotland Yard squad set up to track down potential killers has identified 18 men they fear could commit murder "at any time".

The wanted list of London's most dangerous individuals includes contract killers, gangland danger men and Yardie gunmen.

It has been drawn up by the Murder Prevention Squad, the world's first such team, which was set up on 1 October to

target gangland criminals who remain above the law, and to prevent killings such as that of Lin and Megan Russell by Michael Stone in Kent in 1996.

So far the squad, which is divided into three London teams, has classified 18 men they fear are "a real and imminent threat to life".

Detectives hope to identify the would-be killers before they murder. They are using prison, police and probation service records and liaising with psychiatrists, social workers and other health specialists to identify possible killers. They include people such as Michael Stone who was diagnosed as suffering from a severe personality disorder several years before he killed the Russells, but remained loose in the community.

In future, the squad could also examine ways of preventing domestic murders and identifying violent youngsters who are at risk of growing into killers.

Most of the squad's work so far has focused on police intelligence files identifying known gangland hitmen and violent prisoners bearing grudges who are on the verge of release.

One man was arrested after a shooting spree in which three men were shot and injured and police believed it was only a matter of time before he killed.

Another man was arrested on his release from prison after intelligence suggested he intended to injure or kill a former girlfriend.

Suspects could be subject to bugging and sophisticated surveillance techniques and will be targeted for serious offences which could get them off the streets.

In some circumstances, if police cannot act, other agencies may be alerted to the possible offenders or the potential victim could be removed to safety.

The specialist squad will also engage in "manhunts" of suspects wanted for murder who have gone on the run and who cannot be found by regular murder detectives. At present the three London teams are carrying out seven manhunts of wanted killers.

Detective Chief Supt Chris Jarratt, who is in overall charge of the squad, said: "This is a new way of thinking for us and an attempt to get on the front foot against violent criminals. It is an attempt to prevent crime at the highest level."

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