IPCC to investigate Leicestershire Police response to 999 call

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is managing an investigation into the actions of Leicestershire Police in response to a 999 call from a 24-year-old woman.

At approximately 6.00am on 28 May 2008, a woman rang 999 and her call was transferred to Leicestershire Constabulary’s control room. The woman informed the police call taker she required police assistance.  Officers arrived at the address at 8.37am.  During the period between the 999 telephone call and the arrival of officers at the address, the woman alleges she was raped.   A 28-year-old-man has subsequently been charged with rape.  

The matter was referred to the IPCC and IPCC Commissioner Ms Amerdeep Somal has determined that a managed investigation should be undertaken.  She commented: “Our investigation will examine what actions were taken by Leicestershire Police in the time leading up to this alleged assault and how the concerns raised by the woman in her initial call were handled.”

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Notes for editors:

The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales. The IPCC’s jurisdiction was extended in 2008 to cover UK Border Agency staff exercising police-like powers.

The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.

The 14 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by more than 100 independent IPCC investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 264 independent and 663 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.

The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

For further information please contact Ash Bower, Regional Communications Officer on 01530 258774 or 07717 851320.  Journalists with an urgent media enquiry about an incident outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157.