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Victims who were 'failed' by police Victims who were 'failed' by police
(about 3 hours later)
West Midlands Police failed Rabina Bibi, 35, whose former partner stabbed her to death, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).West Midlands Police failed Rabina Bibi, 35, whose former partner stabbed her to death, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
West Midlands Police said it had carried out reviews to ensure its mistakes are not repeated - but it is not the first time UK police forces have been accused of such failings.West Midlands Police said it had carried out reviews to ensure its mistakes are not repeated - but it is not the first time UK police forces have been accused of such failings.
KATIE SUMMERSKATIE SUMMERS
Katie Summers, 24, was stabbed to death by Brian Taylor in October 2008 at the home she shared with their children.Katie Summers, 24, was stabbed to death by Brian Taylor in October 2008 at the home she shared with their children.
Ms Summers was murdered by Brian Taylor in October 2008Ms Summers was murdered by Brian Taylor in October 2008
Despite the fact that police had been called out to the couple's home on 11 separate occasions, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) did not recognise the risk to Ms Summers, said an Independent Police Complaints Commission report into her death.Despite the fact that police had been called out to the couple's home on 11 separate occasions, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) did not recognise the risk to Ms Summers, said an Independent Police Complaints Commission report into her death.
GMP said Ms Summers' death was "tragic" and that work was under way to improve the way it responds to domestic abuse.GMP said Ms Summers' death was "tragic" and that work was under way to improve the way it responds to domestic abuse.
Police had contact with Ms Summers five times in the four days before her death.Police had contact with Ms Summers five times in the four days before her death.
In total, they visited her at her Farnworth home 11 times between June 2007 and 7 October 2008.In total, they visited her at her Farnworth home 11 times between June 2007 and 7 October 2008.
But two days after their last visit, Taylor stabbed Ms Summers to death.But two days after their last visit, Taylor stabbed Ms Summers to death.
MOHAMMED SHAFIQMOHAMMED SHAFIQ
Mohammed Shafiq spoke to police shortly before he was killed in 2008Mohammed Shafiq spoke to police shortly before he was killed in 2008
Mohammed Shafiq , who was killed in an attack in a Lancashire park, had reported concerns about violence to police less than 30 minutes before he died.Mohammed Shafiq , who was killed in an attack in a Lancashire park, had reported concerns about violence to police less than 30 minutes before he died.
The IPCC said there were failings in the way the call by the 50-year-old was handled.The IPCC said there were failings in the way the call by the 50-year-old was handled.
Mr Shafiq, of Nelson, Lancashire, was stabbed in the stomach in March 2008 and suffered a fractured skull. He died of blood loss.Mr Shafiq, of Nelson, Lancashire, was stabbed in the stomach in March 2008 and suffered a fractured skull. He died of blood loss.
About 25 minutes before the attack, the victim had contacted police on a non-emergency number. About 25 minutes before the attack, he had contacted police on a non-emergency number.
He wanted to speak to an officer who had been dealing with an alleged assault on his son, but the officer was unavailable.He wanted to speak to an officer who had been dealing with an alleged assault on his son, but the officer was unavailable.
Mr Shafiq told the female call handler that he had been told a group of men were following his son and that he was concerned.Mr Shafiq told the female call handler that he had been told a group of men were following his son and that he was concerned.
The seven-minute call ended with the man saying that he was going to the park where he believed his son was.The seven-minute call ended with the man saying that he was going to the park where he believed his son was.
Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "Police call handlers have a very important role to play in understanding the needs of callers to ensure the appropriate response is given.Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "Police call handlers have a very important role to play in understanding the needs of callers to ensure the appropriate response is given.
"In this instance an individual handled Mr Shafiq's call badly, thus creating a situation where it appears he believed he had to deal with matters himself.""In this instance an individual handled Mr Shafiq's call badly, thus creating a situation where it appears he believed he had to deal with matters himself."
PETER WOODHAMSPETER WOODHAMS
An inquiry into the handling of the harassment case of Peter Woodhams before he was murdered identified "serious flaws in the police response".An inquiry into the handling of the harassment case of Peter Woodhams before he was murdered identified "serious flaws in the police response".
The IPCC found officers had not followed up available evidence.The IPCC found officers had not followed up available evidence.
Peter Woodhams' family said he had not been protected by police Peter Woodhams's family said he had not been protected by police
The father-of-one was shot dead outside his home in Canning Town in August 2006.The father-of-one was shot dead outside his home in Canning Town in August 2006.
It later emerged that he had been slashed across the face by youths seven months earlier.It later emerged that he had been slashed across the face by youths seven months earlier.
The family of the 22-year-old from Newham, east London, claimed police failed to protect Mr Woodhams from those who harassed him before his death.The family of the 22-year-old from Newham, east London, claimed police failed to protect Mr Woodhams from those who harassed him before his death.
The IPCC's executive summary highlighted failings with the initial response to the stabbing as well as the subsequent investigation.The IPCC's executive summary highlighted failings with the initial response to the stabbing as well as the subsequent investigation.
It found that officers responding to the stabbing failed to seize evidence for forensic analysis, namely Mr Woodhams' clothes and a blanket which had been wrapped around him following the stabbing. It found that officers responding to the stabbing failed to seize evidence for forensic analysis, namely Mr Woodhams's clothes and a blanket which had been wrapped around him following the stabbing.
They had also failed to take a "proper account" of the incident.They had also failed to take a "proper account" of the incident.
And detectives failed to investigate a list of suspects in the stabbing which had been provided anonymously to the Woodhams' family. And detectives failed to investigate a list of suspects in the stabbing which had been provided anonymously to the Woodhams family.
With both the initial response and the subsequent investigation, the report found officers "failed in their performance of duties".With both the initial response and the subsequent investigation, the report found officers "failed in their performance of duties".
However, the IPCC said the Metropolitan Police had later "recognised and responded" to the issues highlighted in the report.However, the IPCC said the Metropolitan Police had later "recognised and responded" to the issues highlighted in the report.
STEPHEN LAWRENCESTEPHEN LAWRENCE
Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death by a gang at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993.Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death by a gang at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993.
No-one has ever been convicted in connection with the murder of the 18-year-old.No-one has ever been convicted in connection with the murder of the 18-year-old.
Five men were arrested soon after Mr Lawrence's death: Gary Dobson, 32; Neil Acourt, 32; Luke Knight, 31; Jamie Acourt, 31; and David Norris, 31.Five men were arrested soon after Mr Lawrence's death: Gary Dobson, 32; Neil Acourt, 32; Luke Knight, 31; Jamie Acourt, 31; and David Norris, 31.
The Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry report was highly criticalThe Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry report was highly critical
Mr Dobson, Mr Knight, and Neil Acourt were acquitted of murder after a private prosecution - brought by the Lawrence family - collapsed at the Old Bailey in 1996.Mr Dobson, Mr Knight, and Neil Acourt were acquitted of murder after a private prosecution - brought by the Lawrence family - collapsed at the Old Bailey in 1996.
Mr Norris and Jamie Acourt never stood trial because the case against them collapsed before reaching court.Mr Norris and Jamie Acourt never stood trial because the case against them collapsed before reaching court.
A Kent Police inquiry took place into the case in 1997 was followed by the Macpherson Report in 1999, which found evidence of "pernicious and institutionalised racism" in the Metropolitan Police. The report was highly critical of the Met Police . A Kent Police inquiry into the case in 1997 was followed by the Macpherson Report in 1999, which found evidence of "pernicious and institutionalised racism" in the Metropolitan Police. The report was highly critical of the Met Police.
Specific officers were named, but the entire force was criticised.Specific officers were named, but the entire force was criticised.
The report said: "The investigation was marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership by senior officers."The report said: "The investigation was marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership by senior officers."
It also pointed out that officers failed to administer first aid to Stephen at the scene of the crime other than checking his pulse and breathing.It also pointed out that officers failed to administer first aid to Stephen at the scene of the crime other than checking his pulse and breathing.
Inquiry chairman Sir William Macpherson and his team said they had been "astonished by the lack of direction and organisation during the vital hours after the murder".Inquiry chairman Sir William Macpherson and his team said they had been "astonished by the lack of direction and organisation during the vital hours after the murder".
And the report stated that the surveillance of the five suspects was "ill-planned, badly carried out and inadequately documented". Officers were, it concluded, "simply going through the motions". The report also stated that the surveillance of the five suspects was "ill-planned, badly carried out and inadequately documented". Officers were, it concluded, "simply going through the motions".
Last month a retired police constable and a police staff member were arrested amid claims that evidence was hidden from the murder inquiry.Last month a retired police constable and a police staff member were arrested amid claims that evidence was hidden from the murder inquiry.
POLICE RESPONSE
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said: "In every situation they encounter, police officers make decisions based on threat, risk and harm and on what keeps people safe.
"The scale of that challenge is enormous - including nationally 80 million calls that were not life threatening or serious crimes in progress last year.
"Failure can be for many reasons and when we get it wrong, as a police service we should recognise the facts quickly and respond in a way that ensures we do better."