IPCC investigation identifies lessons to be learned for Durham Constabulary

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has identified some lessons to be learned for Durham Constabulary following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Haigh.

Mr Haigh, 41, of Aylmer Grove, Newton Aycliffe was found dead in Woodham Burn at approximately 7:30pm on 31 January 2008.

Durham Constabulary had received a 999 call at approximately 6pm reporting concerns about the welfare of a man, believed to be Mr Haigh. The caller advised that Mr Haigh appeared drunk or on drugs, had hit his head on a lamppost and was last seen walking towards Woodham Burn.

However the officers who were dispatched in response to that call could not find Mr Haigh. His body was found later by members of the public. It transpired that Mr Haigh, who had a history of alcohol problems, had blood-alcohol levels in excess of five times the legal drink-drive limit when he died.

The IPCC independently investigated the handling of the 999 call and the subsequent response.

The investigation found that errors had been made in the recording and dissemination of the information contained in the original 999 call. In particular the call handler did not pass on the information that Mr Haigh had apparently suffered a head injury, was near water and that the 999 caller had left a contact telephone number.

The logging of the information was made more difficult by the fact that the call handler did not have local knowledge and did not understand  that Woodham Burn was a small stream.

As a result, the officers who responded to the call did not have a precise location to search and were unaware that contact details were available for the 999 caller.

The IPCC has recommended that Durham Constabulary:

• ensures all call handlers appreciate the importance of capturing and disseminating all information given in order that detailed locations and circumstances are provided to call dispatchers and attending officers;
• encourages call handlers to record verbatim descriptions of people and locations, even if they have no local knowledge, to assist staff to pinpoint exactly who is involved and where the correct scene is.
• remind all staff that consideration should be given to contact a caller in the event that an injured person has moved from a scene.

IPCC Commissioner Gary Garland said: "Police call handlers have a vital role to play in ensuring all relevant information is recorded and disseminated to give officers attending scenes as many facts as possible to assist them.

"In this case a call handler was dealing with a young person who had dialled 999 and there was confusion over the information supplied. The call handler was also concerned about the young person and the potential that she was near to a man who was drunk or on drugs. However, there is no escaping the fact that some key information was missed.

"However, this was not due to some malicious or deliberate act, rather it was due to simple human error - a mistake. There is no suggestion the outcome would have been any different. Instead of laying blame on one individual, it is more important that Durham Constabulary learn the lessons from this incident and ensure improvements are made in their call handling practices."

An inquest was held into Mr Haigh's death on 7 August 2008 and returned a verdict of accidental death.

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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 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 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.

Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North Region) Tel 0161 246 8582 Journalists with urgent enquiries about incidents outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157.