Watched this 1977 film on Prime about Post Office robber and killer Donald Neilson, and what it shows is how crap the police were back then. This was a man who was running about East Anglia fooling the police at every turn and leaving red herrings for them to endlessly muse over. He committed 400 burglaries, killed four people, culminating in a botched kidnap plot, and even then the police were still clueless. He was only arrested after holding two police officers at gunpoint and being overpowered. But it was Neilson's arrogance and empowerment that finally got him nabbed, and not any police persistence or investigation. Nielson wasn't even very bright. He was reckless and stupid with it. But he still managed to outwit the British Police.

I did see a documentary about this years ago. Other constabularies wanted to help but were turned down by Norfolk Police.

In the documenatary there were retired senior officers going the clues The Black Panther left, some of them said that most criminals want to be caught which is true, the love the power they get from taunting people and causing harm, many leave clues even by accident.

They looked at maps also, they did through old school methods.

They were also shocked how close how some police officers were to some crime scenes.

Green Man wrote:
I did see a documentary about this years ago. Other constabularies wanted to help but were turned down by Norfolk Police.

In the documenatary there were retired senior officers going the clues The Black Panther left, some of them said that most criminals want to be caught which is true, the love the power they get from taunting people and causing harm, many leave clues even by accident.

They looked at maps also, they did through old school methods.

They were also shocked how close how some police officers were to some crime scenes. This was quite an old film. 1977, but from I've read it was all pretty accurate. Nielson was also obsessed with media reporting on his crimes. Even possibly tipped the media off about a ransom drop off after he kidnapped heiress Lesley Whittle. Which would have been madness. But as you say they enjoy the thrill of the chase and making headlines.

Just watched it on Youtube.