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Fiona Pilkington officers face misconduct proceedings | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Four officers face misconduct action after police "missed opportunities" to stop youths terrorising a woman who killed herself and her daughter. | |
Fiona Pilkington, 38, and 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick, who was disabled, died in October 2007 when Ms Pilkington set fire to their car. | Fiona Pilkington, 38, and 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick, who was disabled, died in October 2007 when Ms Pilkington set fire to their car. |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has found the family should have been identified as "vulnerable". | The Independent Police Complaints Commission has found the family should have been identified as "vulnerable". |
They had complained 33 times to Leicestershire Police about harassment. | They had complained 33 times to Leicestershire Police about harassment. |
The IPCC said an inspector, a sergeant and two police constables had a case to answer for misconduct, but Leicestershire Police stressed that their jobs were not at risk. | |
In a report published on Tuesday, IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: "There was nothing in place to ensure the Pilkington family were considered by police as vulnerable or repeat victims, contrary to the force's own strategy. | |
"Systems were in place for officers to have linked the catalogue of incidents but these were not well utilised. | "Systems were in place for officers to have linked the catalogue of incidents but these were not well utilised. |
'Gave up' | |
"Police missed several opportunities to take robust action, inadequately investigated criminal allegations on some occasions and failed to record information on their own intelligence system." | "Police missed several opportunities to take robust action, inadequately investigated criminal allegations on some occasions and failed to record information on their own intelligence system." |
Over the course of 10 years, Ms Pilkington's home in Barwell was repeatedly targeted by groups of up to 16 youngsters, with stones, eggs and flour thrown at the house. | Over the course of 10 years, Ms Pilkington's home in Barwell was repeatedly targeted by groups of up to 16 youngsters, with stones, eggs and flour thrown at the house. |
On one occasion, Francecca - who had the mental age of a four-year-old - was told to lift up her night-dress, while her brother Anthony was locked in a shed at knifepoint. | |
Ms Pilkington reported the incidents, but in total received only eight visits from officers. | |
An inquest in 2009 heard that six months before her death she had told her family: "I give up." | An inquest in 2009 heard that six months before her death she had told her family: "I give up." |
The 38-year-old killed herself and Francecca by pouring petrol over their car in a lay-by on the A47 in nearby Earl Shilton. | The 38-year-old killed herself and Francecca by pouring petrol over their car in a lay-by on the A47 in nearby Earl Shilton. |
The inquest found that failings by the Leicestershire force - along with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council - had contributed to the deaths. | The inquest found that failings by the Leicestershire force - along with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council - had contributed to the deaths. |
The coroner said the abuse had been classified as anti-social behaviour, rather than crime, and that information had not been properly shared. | The coroner said the abuse had been classified as anti-social behaviour, rather than crime, and that information had not been properly shared. |
The case has led to a review of the way police forces deal with targeted anti-social behaviour. | The case has led to a review of the way police forces deal with targeted anti-social behaviour. |
Last year, Ms Pilkington's family announced they had issued legal proceedings against Leicestershire Police and the two councils. | Last year, Ms Pilkington's family announced they had issued legal proceedings against Leicestershire Police and the two councils. |