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'No excuses' over family's deaths 'No excuses' over family's deaths
(10 minutes later)
There were "no excuses" for failings which led to the deaths of a mother and daughter who were hounded by youths, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said.There were "no excuses" for failings which led to the deaths of a mother and daughter who were hounded by youths, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said.
Fiona Pilkington, 38, killed herself and Francecca Hardwick in a burning car after years of abuse on their estate.Fiona Pilkington, 38, killed herself and Francecca Hardwick in a burning car after years of abuse on their estate.
An inquest jury said Leicestershire Police and two councils had not handled complaints from the family properly.An inquest jury said Leicestershire Police and two councils had not handled complaints from the family properly.
Mr Johnson said the agencies were wrong to regard such anti-social behaviour as "low-level crime".Mr Johnson said the agencies were wrong to regard such anti-social behaviour as "low-level crime".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate the handling of the case.
Speaking to BBC News, Mr Johnson said: "This should never have happened and there are no excuses for this and there can be no excuses for this.Speaking to BBC News, Mr Johnson said: "This should never have happened and there are no excuses for this and there can be no excuses for this.
"This is an example of a complacency that we are determined to eradicate wherever it is.""This is an example of a complacency that we are determined to eradicate wherever it is."
'Stress and anxiety''Stress and anxiety'
Speaking about the anti-social behaviour the family experienced, he added: "In Fiona Pilkington's case there was insufficient attention to this, it was classified as low level when it is high level if you are experiencing it, that is for sure."Speaking about the anti-social behaviour the family experienced, he added: "In Fiona Pilkington's case there was insufficient attention to this, it was classified as low level when it is high level if you are experiencing it, that is for sure."
The inquest at Loughborough Town Hall heard that Ms Pilkington, her daughter and her son, Anthony, who has severe dyslexia, suffered more than 10 years of harassment and threats from a gang of teenagers living on their street in Barwell.The inquest at Loughborough Town Hall heard that Ms Pilkington, her daughter and her son, Anthony, who has severe dyslexia, suffered more than 10 years of harassment and threats from a gang of teenagers living on their street in Barwell.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The council has admitted the Simmons family, who live nearby, still cause trouble in the area. When asked by the BBC if his children bore any responsibility for the deaths, the father said: "That's for the authorities to decide."
Ms Pilkington is believed to have poured the contents of a 10-litre can of petrol over clothes in the back seat of the car, and set them alight.Ms Pilkington is believed to have poured the contents of a 10-litre can of petrol over clothes in the back seat of the car, and set them alight.
The jury found Ms Pilkington killed herself and her daughter "due to the stress and anxiety regarding her daughter's future, and ongoing anti-social behaviour".The jury found Ms Pilkington killed herself and her daughter "due to the stress and anxiety regarding her daughter's future, and ongoing anti-social behaviour".
The jury foreman said the police's response had had an impact on Ms Pilkington's decision to unlawfully kill her daughter and commit suicide.The jury foreman said the police's response had had an impact on Ms Pilkington's decision to unlawfully kill her daughter and commit suicide.
Relatives described how Ms Pilkington had complained for years about youths "taunting and abusing" her at her home, but six months before her death had told them "I give up".Relatives described how Ms Pilkington had complained for years about youths "taunting and abusing" her at her home, but six months before her death had told them "I give up".
Temporary Chief Constable Chris Eyre of Leicestershire Police said he was "extremely sorry" that police failed to help Ms Pilkington and her daughter.Temporary Chief Constable Chris Eyre of Leicestershire Police said he was "extremely sorry" that police failed to help Ms Pilkington and her daughter.
In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would be investigating the response of Leicestershire Police to calls for assistance made by Ms Pilkington.In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would be investigating the response of Leicestershire Police to calls for assistance made by Ms Pilkington.