How Do Police Name Their Operations?

16 September 2016, 14:05 | Updated: 16 September 2016, 14:21

Scotland Yard

Mystery Hour Question

Belinda, Ely

How do the police name their operations?  For example, the phone hacking scandal being called Operation Weeting?

Answer

Name: Simon, Hayes

Qualification: Retired Police Officer

Answer: There is a computer in Scotland Yard that throws out these names randomly.  Previously, it would be up to the Senior Investigating Officer to pick a name, but sometimes they would be inappropriate, for example Operation Money Spinner being used because everyone was earning loads of overtime.  So they set up a computer that gives out random names from an approved list.