Contact with police before death - Essex Police, March 2018

We received a referral from Essex Police following the death of a man, and serious injuries sustained by a woman, after an incident that took place on 13 March 2018, where the man was alleged to have set both of them on fire. The woman died later of her injuries.

The man was subject to Court bail conditions, having been charged with an offence of criminal damage on 11 January 2018 at the home of his estranged partner. Between 7 March 2018 and 13 March 2018, the man’s estranged partner and their eldest daughter reported to Essex Police that he had breached his bail conditions by contacting them via texts, phone calls, and approaching their home. Essex Police obtained witness statements on 7, 9 and 12 March 2018, and first attempted to arrest the man on 12 March 2018. Police officers were unable to locate the man.

During our investigation, investigators obtained call recordings, database records, witness statements and other material, including Essex Police policies and procedures. We served eight officers with misconduct notices for concerns around the completion of records on the database of crimes and incidents, and lack of action in relation to arresting the man.

The evidence obtained during the investigation indicated that, while there was a lack of clarity regarding breaches of domestic abuse offences, in particular regarding the responsibility for arrest between the local policing teams and specialist domestic abuse team, there was also a lack of positive action from officers in both teams.

At the end of the investigation, based on the evidence available, we were of the opinion that none of the officers had a case to answer for misconduct. However, we were also of the view that seven officers would benefit from management action in relation to correct record keeping and processing of information. We completed our investigation in December 2018.

After reviewing our report Essex Police agreed. The force also advised that one officer would receive management action in relation to suspect management and arrest enquiries.

Essex Police also committed to reviewing working practices and current guidance and training around the keeping of records, as well as how the arrest of a person on bail is progressed.