The Independent Police Complaints Commission has concluded its investigation into how the Metropolitan Police Service and West Midlands Police handled complaints from Banaz Mahmod prior to her murder.

As a result of the investigation two MPS officers - a police constable and an inspector - will face a disciplinary panel to explain their actions during an incident on 31 December 2005. In addition it has been recommended that four MPS and two West Midlands detectives should receive written warnings and one MPS constable should receive words of advice in relation to another incident.

Ms Mahmod disappeared from her South London home in January 2006 and her body was found in the West Midlands three months later. Ms Mahmod's father and uncle were convicted of murder in June 2007 following a trial at the Old Bailey.

The IPCC's independent investigation looked five specific matters:

i.    how the MPS and West Midlands Police handled allegations made by Ms Mahmod on 14 September 2005;

ii.    how the MPS handled Ms Mahmod's allegation on 4 December 2005 that threats to kill had been made against her;

iii.    how the MPS handled Ms Mahmod's allegation on 10 December 2005 that threats had been made against her;

iv.    how MPS officers dealt with Ms Mahmod on 31 December 2005 when she was found in a distressed state in a café in Hartfield Road, Wimbledon;

v.   how MPS officers handled a report on 23 January 2006 that Ms Mahmod's boyfriend had been threatened.

In relation to matters ii, iii and v the IPCC investigation found that the MPS had acted appropriately and shown compassion and willingness to deal with the matters reported.

However, the investigation found that Ms Mahmod had been let down by the MPS and West Midlands Police in relation to the matters on 14 September 2005 and 31 December 2005.

On 14 September Ms Mahmod made allegations of historic physical and sexual assault to the MPS. The following day an officer was assigned to the investigation, but the first attempt to contact Ms Mahmod was not made until 22 September.

Ms Mahmod was finally spoken to on 27 September and it became apparent that the allegations related to incidents in the West Midlands. As a result the case was passed to West Midlands Police.

A West Midlands Police officer took over the investigation on 28 September and spoke with Ms Mahmod the following day to arrange a date for an interview to take place. This happened on 10 October. However, it was not until 10 January 2006 that contact was made with Ms Mahmod to get her to sign the statement.

The IPCC investigation determined that the MPS could have done more in its dealings with Ms Mahmod, lines of inquiry were not followed and there was poor supervision. As a result, the IPCC has recommended that four officers receive written warnings and one receives words of advice.

The investigation also found that the initial investigation conducted by West Midlands Police was flawed, not done in a timely fashion and poorly supervised.  As a result it has been recommended that two officers receive written warnings and another officer receive management development intervention over his failings to provide adequate supervision.

In the incident on 31 December 2005, Ms Mahmod had entered a café in a distressed state. Paramedics and police officers were called to deal with the incident. The IPCC investigation concluded  that the actions of a police constable in dealing with this incident, and those of a supervising inspector, fell below the required standard and as a result it has been recommended that they appear before a disciplinary panel to account for their actions. As a result of this recommendation it is not appropriate for the IPCC to discuss the detail of its findings at this stage.

Nicola Williams, IPCC Commissioner, said: "Banaz Mahmod was a young woman who lost her life in terrible circumstances. Her murder has been termed an 'honour killing' and there has been much debate about this subject which I do not intend to add to. The IPCC's investigation focussed on how two police forces dealt with allegations and whether more could have been done to assist a woman who was living in fear.

"It is clear that the police response was at best mixed. In relation to three of the incidents we investigated we found the police force involved - the Metropolitan Police Service - had dealt with matters appropriately and sensitively.

"However, in relation to two incidents we have found that Banaz Mahmod was let down by the service she received. There were delays in investigations, poor supervision, a lack of understanding and insensitivity. In relation to what we believe to be the worst failings - the way MPS officers dealt with Ms Mahmod on 31 December 2006 - we believe it is entirely appropriate for two officers to face a disciplinary panel. It would not be appropriate for us to discuss the evidence relating to this until it has been presented before this panel."

Mrs Williams added: "Aside from the disciplinary outcomes of this investigation we have also made a number of recommendations designed to improve policing practice. These include the review of procedures relating to the investigation of sexual offences and the reinforcing of knowledge about domestic and honour based violence."

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For further information please contact:

Rachael Collins, IPCC Press & PR Manager on 020 7166 3142 or the out-of-hours duty press officer 07717 851157.