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The Met was ill prepared when Stephen Port began killing gay men – and it still is The Met was ill prepared when Stephen Port began killing gay men – and it still is
(30 minutes later)
I hoped to find a police force that had learned from its many mistakes, but even now I cannot give that assuranceI hoped to find a police force that had learned from its many mistakes, but even now I cannot give that assurance
Between June 2014 and September 2015, Stephen Port drugged, sexually assaulted and murdered four young gay men in east London, leading to a police response that was criticised by a coroner for a large number of “very serious and very basic investigative failings”. Eight years after Port murdered his last victim, what has changed in terms of the way the Metropolitan police might cope with similar circumstances? I have looked into that, and the sad answer is not enough.Between June 2014 and September 2015, Stephen Port drugged, sexually assaulted and murdered four young gay men in east London, leading to a police response that was criticised by a coroner for a large number of “very serious and very basic investigative failings”. Eight years after Port murdered his last victim, what has changed in terms of the way the Metropolitan police might cope with similar circumstances? I have looked into that, and the sad answer is not enough.
What happened remains shocking. Anthony Walgate was Port’s first victim. He was found dead outside the block of flats where Port lived, after Port rang 999 to report finding a young man collapsed. Anthony had died from an overdose of GHB, which is sometimes known as the “date rape” drug.What happened remains shocking. Anthony Walgate was Port’s first victim. He was found dead outside the block of flats where Port lived, after Port rang 999 to report finding a young man collapsed. Anthony had died from an overdose of GHB, which is sometimes known as the “date rape” drug.
Port’s next three victims, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor, were all found in a churchyard close to Port’s flat. Like Anthony, they had all consumed fatal levels of GHB.Port’s next three victims, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor, were all found in a churchyard close to Port’s flat. Like Anthony, they had all consumed fatal levels of GHB.
The similarities were glaringly obvious, yet the Met failed to recognise that the deaths might be connected – or even that the four men had been murdered.The similarities were glaringly obvious, yet the Met failed to recognise that the deaths might be connected – or even that the four men had been murdered.
Port eventually admitted that he had met Anthony for sex. He claimed it was Anthony who had administered the drugs and that he had panicked after finding him dead and taken his body outside. It’s hard to believe that the police accepted Port’s version of events as the truth, when the circumstances should surely have set alarm bells ringing.Port eventually admitted that he had met Anthony for sex. He claimed it was Anthony who had administered the drugs and that he had panicked after finding him dead and taken his body outside. It’s hard to believe that the police accepted Port’s version of events as the truth, when the circumstances should surely have set alarm bells ringing.
It is entirely possible that Gabriel, Daniel and Jack would still be alive had the police conducted a professional and thorough investigation after Anthony’s death. This injustice must be unbearably hard for the victims’ families to live with. To add insult to injury, the Met’s interaction with the families was uncaring and, at times, virtually nonexistent. It was the families’ persistence that eventually led to Port being identified as a suspect.It is entirely possible that Gabriel, Daniel and Jack would still be alive had the police conducted a professional and thorough investigation after Anthony’s death. This injustice must be unbearably hard for the victims’ families to live with. To add insult to injury, the Met’s interaction with the families was uncaring and, at times, virtually nonexistent. It was the families’ persistence that eventually led to Port being identified as a suspect.
The families of Port’s victims have accused the Met of homophobia. We understand why. We also understand their desire to make sense of the wholly preventable deaths of their loved ones.The families of Port’s victims have accused the Met of homophobia. We understand why. We also understand their desire to make sense of the wholly preventable deaths of their loved ones.
In fact, the police did not initially realise each victim was gay. This doesn’t excuse their failings. But by the time they recognised the men were gay, the investigations were already doomed to fail. Almost immediately, and with little interrogation or curiosity, frontline officers had decided that each cause of death was a self-administered drug overdose. As a result, the deaths were not recorded as suspicious. This mistake was critical and hard to forgive. It affected everything that followed. It meant specialist homicide detectives did not become involved, and local officers didn’t even consider the possibility of a serial killer.In fact, the police did not initially realise each victim was gay. This doesn’t excuse their failings. But by the time they recognised the men were gay, the investigations were already doomed to fail. Almost immediately, and with little interrogation or curiosity, frontline officers had decided that each cause of death was a self-administered drug overdose. As a result, the deaths were not recorded as suspicious. This mistake was critical and hard to forgive. It affected everything that followed. It meant specialist homicide detectives did not become involved, and local officers didn’t even consider the possibility of a serial killer.
The Met has apologised to the families. But in the hope that lessons can be learned, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has examined what has happened since. We find that the Met has not learned enough from its failings in the Port case – and it could happen again. Most worryingly, officers admitted to us that they still rely on luck to identify links between deaths.The Met has apologised to the families. But in the hope that lessons can be learned, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has examined what has happened since. We find that the Met has not learned enough from its failings in the Port case – and it could happen again. Most worryingly, officers admitted to us that they still rely on luck to identify links between deaths.
Our report describes a police force that has struggled to overcome deep-rooted problems with competence and professionalism. We regularly hear that the Met is inexperienced and that its resources are stretched, which we accept. But that doesn’t absolve the Met of its responsibility to meet basic requirements.Our report describes a police force that has struggled to overcome deep-rooted problems with competence and professionalism. We regularly hear that the Met is inexperienced and that its resources are stretched, which we accept. But that doesn’t absolve the Met of its responsibility to meet basic requirements.
We have uncovered the five issues that we believe offer the most convincing explanation for why the Met’s handling of the Port case was fundamentally flawed.We have uncovered the five issues that we believe offer the most convincing explanation for why the Met’s handling of the Port case was fundamentally flawed.
First, not enough training is provided to inexperienced police officers who respond to deaths, and not enough is done to instil an investigative mindset in officers.First, not enough training is provided to inexperienced police officers who respond to deaths, and not enough is done to instil an investigative mindset in officers.
Second, there is poor supervision and oversight of these same officers. A senior supervisor should attend all reports of a sudden death. But we found that it was common for supervisors to be “acting” or temporarily promoted sergeants rather than senior in rank.Second, there is poor supervision and oversight of these same officers. A senior supervisor should attend all reports of a sudden death. But we found that it was common for supervisors to be “acting” or temporarily promoted sergeants rather than senior in rank.
Third, we found unacceptable record-keeping, confusing case management systems and poor handling of property and exhibits. Combined, these problems can lead to confusion, duplication and wasted time.Third, we found unacceptable record-keeping, confusing case management systems and poor handling of property and exhibits. Combined, these problems can lead to confusion, duplication and wasted time.
Fourth, the Met has an overwhelming amount of confusing policy and guidance.Fourth, the Met has an overwhelming amount of confusing policy and guidance.
And fifth, we found inadequate intelligence and crime-analysis processes, which make it difficult for the police to link deaths at a local level.And fifth, we found inadequate intelligence and crime-analysis processes, which make it difficult for the police to link deaths at a local level.
The Met has made some improvements since Port was finally charged with the four murders in 2015; these include better working arrangements between local officers and specialist homicide investigation teams, and training and guidance for officers on chemsex. We welcome these changes, but the force has still not done enough.The Met has made some improvements since Port was finally charged with the four murders in 2015; these include better working arrangements between local officers and specialist homicide investigation teams, and training and guidance for officers on chemsex. We welcome these changes, but the force has still not done enough.
Confidence in the Met matters. It is the UK’s largest police force by far, and for many is the face of British policing. And it desperately needs to recruit quality people – from all of London’s communities – and retain the good ones currently serving.Confidence in the Met matters. It is the UK’s largest police force by far, and for many is the face of British policing. And it desperately needs to recruit quality people – from all of London’s communities – and retain the good ones currently serving.
To begin rebuilding public trust, the Met must act on the 20 recommendations we have made without delay. These include improving how the force investigates deaths and how it supports bereaved families. Frontline officers responding to deaths should make better use of available intelligence. Indeed, we encourage chief constables of all police forces to use this as an opportunity to reexamine how they investigate deaths.To begin rebuilding public trust, the Met must act on the 20 recommendations we have made without delay. These include improving how the force investigates deaths and how it supports bereaved families. Frontline officers responding to deaths should make better use of available intelligence. Indeed, we encourage chief constables of all police forces to use this as an opportunity to reexamine how they investigate deaths.
If the police are willing to learn from past failings, they will be much better equipped to keep the public safe from predators like Stephen Port. That must be a priority. No other family should have to experience this injustice again.If the police are willing to learn from past failings, they will be much better equipped to keep the public safe from predators like Stephen Port. That must be a priority. No other family should have to experience this injustice again.
Matt Parr is HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue ServicesMatt Parr is HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Matt Parr is HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue ServicesMatt Parr is HM Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.