National recommendation - The College of Policing, September 2020
We identified national learning from an investigation relating to an alleged failure to investigate breaches of bail conditions and provide adequate safeguarding steps for a victim of domestic abuse.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that when reviewing the Authorised Professional Practice for Investigations, the College of Policing should include specific guidance on jurisdiction and cross-border issues.
A woman reported that her husband was subjecting her to controlling behaviour, had assaulted her and made threats to kill her.
The woman and her children did not return to the marital home and went to stay with a friend. Her husband discovered her whereabouts and attended the house. The police were called and he was arrested. The woman and her children were moved into emergency accommodation in a neighbouring force area. Her husband was released on police bail with conditions not to contact the woman (directly or indirectly), not to attend any address when the woman was and to arrange any child contact via social services.
The husband breached the bail conditions and the woman’s friend tried to report this to the force where the woman now lived. She was told this was the responsibility of the force who had received the original report and were investigating the allegations. She then rang this force and was told that it was the responsibility of the force where the woman now resided and they should investigate the reports. She was passed back to this force and an appointment was made for the woman to be interviewed.
The investigation concluded that there was confusion around which force should investigate in these circumstances and that Authorised Professional Practice should make this clearer.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
We share your concerns over the tragic circumstances of the murder. We accept your recommendation. College guidance does already cover primacy for investigations in our guidance for investigating missing persons. It is not specifically covered in Authorised Professional Practice for investigations. That document is in the process of being updated. The recommended changes will be included.