Soham police plea for more cash

The final bill for the inquiry will not be known for months

Police in Cambridgeshire are asking the Home Office for help to meet the bill for the Soham murder inquiry.

Leaders of the county's police authority expect the cost of investigating the deaths of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman to run into millions of pounds.

It is feared the huge cost of the operation would have an impact on the force's budget unless the government can provide extra cash.

Neighbouring forces were also drafted in to help and have not yet submitted their bills.

We don't want to make a big song and dance about this but it is something we are keeping our eye on

Police authority chairman John Reynolds

Cambridgeshire Police Authority chairman John Reynolds said the cost of Operation Fincham would not be known for some months as officers continue their inquiries.

The Soham home of former caretaker Ian Huntley, 28, who has been charged with the murder of the girls, is still being searched.

Operation Fincham was Britain's largest ever manhunt, involving 426 officers from 21 forces.

"The cost has not been mentioned earlier as the most important thing was to try to solve the case," said Mr Reynolds.

"We don't want to make a big song and dance about this but it is something we are keeping our eye on.

"We will be approaching the Home Office for funding when we have a better idea of the costs involved."

Consider plea

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "It's open to any police authority or chief constable whose force has had to meet an exceptional financial burden to apply to the Home Office for a one-off additional funding.

"Once received, we will consider any application based on the individual circumstances of the case."

Mr Huntley is being held at a high security hospital under the Mental Health Act.

His partner, Maxine Carr, 25, a former teaching assistant in Holly and Jessica's class, is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.