In 1973, he was made deputy head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch, where he became an expert on European terrorist groups such as Baader-Meinhof, and gave lectures on hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism tactics.

The men had been responsible for a wave of bombings in London, but had been intercepted by armed police while attacking a restaurant.

[3] Imbert claimed to have believed the suspects' "confessions" which were made during an interrogation where they were subjected to violence and threats.

The opposite of a public relations exercise, Thames Valley and the police in general came under sustained criticism when an episode of the programme showed three detectives interrogating and dismissing a rape victim.

Shocked at the attitude and behaviour of his officers, and the public reaction, Imbert instigated improvements to the handling of rape cases to Thames Valley which were adopted throughout the country.

He was created a life peer on 10 February 1999, taking the title Baron Imbert, of New Romney in the county of Kent.