Senior officers voice concern over Leicestershire police force’s reputation

Senior officers voice concern over Leicestershire police force’s reputation

Chief Constable Simon Cole
Chief Constable Simon Cole

By ciaran fagan social affairs correspondent

Leicestershire police’s reputation is highly likely to be damaged by reports into its handling of some high-profile cases, senior officers have warned.

The Leicestershire force has been criticised twice in the past few weeks by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Now, with more IPCC investigations pending, concern for the force’s reputation has been highlighted by senior officers.

Among the IPCC reports due to be published in the near future is its assessment of the force’s handling of the Fiona Pilkington case – the Barwell mum who killed herself and her daughter after suffering years of torment at the hands of young yobs.

Chief Constable Simon Cole acknowledged that his force had suffered some adverse publicity.

However, he said some of the investigations related to incidents up to five years ago and that steps had already been taken to improve performance.

Mr Cole said: “It’s important an independent view is taken in some of these cases on behalf of the public.

“Some of the reports have highlighted the fact that people have done things well and acted appropriately.

“Equally, if we have not done things well, we should be accountable for that.

“The IPCC’s overall aim is to help us deliver a good policing service.”

The concerns are outlined in a corporate risk register presented to Leicestershire Police Authority.

“All big organisations have corporate risk registers. Frankly, if our auditors came in and found we didn’t have one they would be horrified,” Mr Cole said.

“I think people judge us by the service they get from us every day and how we deal with them and those they care for when they call on us for help.”

Overall, recorded crime has fallen by 12 per cent in the past year and recent surveys of crime victims have returned satisfaction rates of 86 per cent, Mr Cole said.

However, in another high-profile case, the force last month apologised to the family of murder victim Joanne Butler.

Miss Butler, who had a history of mental illness, was beaten to death in her Earl Shilton flat in January 2006.

The IPCC criticised police for not sending officers to investigate four telephone calls it received – some silent or incoherent – in the hours before her death. The force had had contact with the 38-year-old and knew about her mental illness.

Joanne’s parents, Garry and Pauline, of Markfield, were at Leicestershire police HQ in Enderby last month to hear Mr Cole apologise and give assurances the force had learned lessons from the case.

The couple had criticised health services and police for failing to protect their daughter or to discipline the staff member who chose not to send officers to Jo’s home to investigate her calls.

However, Mrs Butler, 63, said: “I can see the police are trying to make a lot of improvements.

“It has given us some comfort and they seem sincere and serious about wanting to improve the system.”

Also last month the IPCC said the force’s handling of Simon Lockton, who stalked and later stabbed his ex-partner, had been “haphazard”.

The watchdog found the woman had suffered almost two years of threats and harassment before Lockton stabbed and badly injured her in Countesthorpe, a year ago.

The IPCC said officers had been in contact with the victim but had not treated the case with sufficient seriousness.

Police authority member David Bill said: “It’s unfortunate for the force’s reputation that there has been a cluster of cases – but it is even more tragic for the families concerned.

“With the best will in the world, the police, councils and the voluntary sector cannot protect everybody from harm.”

The force’s list of risks also includes the likelihood its reputation will be damaged by its disproportionate use of stop and search powers against black and Asian people.

The force is working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on an investigation into officers’ use of the powers.

To Come: Cases on which the ICC is yet to report

The IPCC is to report on three major cases:

*Fiona Pilkington, who  killed herself and her daughter Francecca, 18,  in October 2007 after years of torment from yobs.

Francecca  is believed to have been singled out  because of her learning disability.

The force and other authorities were criticised for failing to recognise the pattern of abuse.

*The circumstances surrounding the death in Mowmacre, Leicester, of Joy Small, 24, and her two children in February  are also under investigation.

Her former partner, Aram Abdul Razaq Aziz, 32, is believed to have murdered them.

His body was later found in   Watermead Country Park.

Police subsequently established the force had been aware of violence within the relationship and referred the case to the watchdog.

*Motorist Martin Kent, 23, of Newfoundpool, Leicester, in December last year.

Mr Kent is believed to have lain dead at a crash scene – in a field off Soar Valley Way, Leicester –  for four days, despite officers visiting the area within 24 hours of his car leaving the road.

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