Sue Mitchell, Michael Williams and podcast producer Joel Moors. Photograph: Lucy Young

A capacity audience at the London Press Club Awards at Stationers’ Hall, London, applauded Sue Mitchell, of the BBC Investigations Unit, winner of The Cudlipp Prize, the prestigious award sponsored by the BJR.

The judging panel chaired by the journalist, academic and author Michael Williams, praised Mitchell’s investigation The Grave Robbers: “This highly original investigation across five episodes on BBC Radio 4 reveals the untold story of criminal gangs stealing houses from people without a recent will. The judges applauded the high quality of reporting and the fact that it was given generous airtime at a time when detailed investigations are often crowded out of today’s media – or are deemed too expensive to pursue. Judges were delighted to see the distinguished tradition of investigative journalism enhanced by a format for our times – the podcast.”

The award, named after the influential late newspaper editor Hugh Cudlipp, honours journalism that demonstrates “campaigning zeal and investigative skill”, reflecting Lord Cudlipp’s belief in the social purpose of newspapers to inform the public and drive change. It is open to all editors, writers, or teams of journalists working for a UK national newspaper or news website/platform. Judges look for work that has had real impact.

The runners up were the Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday for a powerful investigation of a miscarriage of justice, The Times, for a courageous piece on human traffickers and Jim Waterson, creator of London Centric, a new business model for reporting in London.