Contact with police before serious injury - Northamptonshire Police, April 2017

On 7 April 2017 Northamptonshire Police force control room was made aware of an incident where a man caused damage to his ex-partner’s property. Safety advice was provided to the woman over the phone and by attending officers. The woman then contacted force control room approximately 15 minutes later and informed them that her ex-partner had returned, smashed a window and door, and run off.

When officers arrived, she informed them that he had entered the property, taken a knife and threatened another man who was in the house. Officers who attended requested assistance from specialist units such as Taser and dogs. Officers could not locate and arrest the man, and the woman was taken to a safe location. The investigation was allocated to an officer, who continued enquiries to find the man. The man was not arrested and subsequently stabbed the woman’s new partner, causing a serious injury.

Our investigators reviewed the information and completed witness accounts from officers. They also reviewed body-worn footage, audio of calls and incident logs as part of the investigation.

Evidence indicated that officers responded appropriately to both incidents. Appropriate steps were taken to progress the investigation, although there was no intelligence at that point as to where the man may have been living. We were of the opinion that safeguarding steps put in place by the force were appropriate and reduced the risk to the woman and her new partner at that time.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

After reviewing our report, Northamptonshire Police agreed with our findings.