THERE should be a great deal of anger turned on the district judge (that’s one rung up from a layman magistrate) and his court clerk who at a stroke junked the established way police investigate the most serious crimes.

The 96-hour timeframe for police to hold suspects has operated in its current form for 25 years yet it was only earlier this year that anyone figured out it was illegal.

And we suspect District Judge Jonathan Finestein was making a bid for his 15 seconds of fame during the Salford Magistrates’ Court case of a suspected murderer and how long police could legally hold him to interview him.

Don’t be under any illusion: this is a major blow to thousands of cases currently being investigated.

Any defence lawyer worth their salt will be reviewing the ruling today to see how they can get cases against their clients dropped.

Thames Valley Police was keen to play down the impact yesterday. We suspect the force is acting a little like a swan — trying to look serene as it glides across the surface while its legs paddle furiously below.

Supt Gez Chiariello says Thames Valley officers will try to think their way around the ruling but officers on the beat are genuinely worried this will sabotage some current cases.

Also in the dock of public opinion alongside Judge Finestein should be the Government.

The High Court’s oral decision was given in May, with a written version delivered on June 17 and ministers alerted a week ago.

Yet it was only yesterday the Government was meeting chief police officers and talking tough about new laws and a Supreme Court appeal.

Home SecretaryTheresa May must be held to account if this proves to be closing the cell door after the criminal has bolted.