Beneath the surface with our underwater search team

Meet the team who go far beneath the surface to help us fight crime.

Many criminals may think if they chuck used weapons, phones, or other key evidence into a river, lake, or canal that it’ll never be found.

But that’s where our specialist dive team comes in.

It’s their job to kit up, find it, and help prosecute those offenders and get justice for any victims.

Sometimes they’re the ones to find that vital piece of missing evidence including helping with murder investigations or helping to return a missing person to their loved ones.

The team is one of only 11 specialist units in the country and is often on standby to assist with searches across the East Midlands and beyond.

They’re made up of regular officers who are based on different teams across the force and volunteer for the unit on a part-time basis as well as their normal duties.

They’ll come from all different areas such as response, intelligence, roads, and tactical support groups.

This job isn’t for the fainthearted though - with the physical demand on fitness levels, having to pass a police fitness test as well as a yearly diving medical, and training in open water every fortnight.

The role means sometimes our divers can be underwater for hours, with barely any visibility, relying on their teammates, their instincts, and training to find that one missing piece of evidence.

PC Steve Craner, who’s been on the dive team for 19 years, said: “My day-to-day role means I’m working as a response officer, being the first to attend scenes of crime and helping the public when they need our help the most.

“But for the last 19 years I’ve been on the dive unit sometimes travelling around the country to help find missing people or discarded evidence.

“Being part of the unit is really demanding, we’re a small team, and often deal with tough cases and situations and can be sent to other areas outside of Nottinghamshire to help at short notice.

“But it’s a great team to be a part of and the best part is when you find that missing evidence.

“Sometimes it can be something so small and you and the team have been scraping the bottom of a river or lake with just your fingertips if the visibility is low, and you find it.

“There’s such a sense of achievement and to know that, that could be all we need to charge someone with a murder the hours searching in all the kit and underwater are worth it.”