The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate how Merseyside Police dealt with allegations of domestic violence prior to a woman’s murder.

Monika Szmecht, 21, was murdered in Mossborough Hall Lane, Rainford, Merseyside on 11 June 2007. She had been stabbed and set alight. He former boyfriend, Anthony Clarke, was found guilty of the murder on 1 May 2008 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Merseyside Police referred concerns surrounding how they had dealt with Ms Szmecht and handled her allegations of domestic violence at the hands of Clarke to the IPCC on 11 December 2007. Mike Franklin, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, decided that an independent investigation should be conducted, but this could not commence until the criminal proceedings against Clarke were completed.

Mr Franklin said: This was a horrifically brutal murder and my condolences go out to Ms Szmecht’s family and friends. It is known that Merseyside Police had been in contact with Ms Szmecht and she had raised concerns about Mr Clarke’s behaviour towards her in the days leading up to her murder. Our investigation will examine whether officers observed the correct policies and procedures and whether Ms Szmecht was afforded sufficient protection.”

-ends-

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 15 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 more than 200 independent IPCC investigators, casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 225 independent and 619 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.

Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North region) Tel 0161 246 8582 Journalists with urgent media enquiries OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157