THE most “arduous” search operation in Merseyside Police’s recent history was carried out during the initial stages of the investigation.

The attention to detail is only comparable to investigations in terrorism cases, according to the force.

During the first five days after Rhys’ murder 60 special officers, eight team leaders, two advisors and four arms recovery officers spent 15 hours a day picking through 120 square metres of undergrowth.

Superintendent Jon Roy said: “Each tree had to be cut and each branch searched to ensure no evidence was trapped within it. If that is not leaving no stone unturned, I don’t know what is.

“Officers said it was the most arduous finger tip search of a crime scene they had ever conducted.”

A total of 800 hours was spent searching scrub land and 40 pairs of protective boots were worn out during the whole exercise, which later moved on to the Dam Wood area.

Prosecutor Helen Morris visited the murder scene during the first days of the enquiry. She said: “I saw teams of police officers on their hands and knees looking for the minutest piece of evidence.

“This was the start of many months of painstaking evidence gathering.”

A total of 32 properties were also searched, eight yielding significant finds.

Police recovered hand guns, shot guns, ammunition and an ammunitions factory.

The searches culminated in the arrests of 12 suspects on April 15.

The case was given priority within the force and every area of procedure was reviewed to make sure information and evidence was being processed as quickly as possible, including the forensic and telecoms departments.