WIREDGOV

An IPCC investigation into Cheshire Constabulary’s response after Connor Green was reported missing has highlighted a need for additional specialist search resources.

The force has accepted the IPCC’s conclusions and will review its PolSA (Police Search Advisor) capability. This will inform the training of additional resources and help with planning to ensure those resources are used effectively.

Connor Green, who was 19, was reported missing to police on 30 July 2016 after running from ambulance staff called to his Widnes home. Connor was found dead nearby in an area of undergrowth and bushes two days later on 1 August.

An inquest at Warrington recently (30 January) concluded that Connor’s death was drug related following combined toxicity.

The IPCC’s investigation followed a referral from the force and looked at how the missing person report was handled, including how the search for him was conducted and the deployment of PolSA resources.

No misconduct issues were identified by the investigation which concluded that the search was conducted in accordance with policy and guidance.

Separate complaints to the IPCC about the effectiveness of the police search were not upheld.

However the IPCC’s investigator learned that the force only had one PolSA officer on duty at the time and he was already dealing with another high risk missing person report. Another PolSA officer did assist while off duty but while finding that commendable the investigator’s view was that this highlighted the shortage of PolSA resources across the force area.

IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams said: “Connor Green was a vulnerable young man and this was a tragic set of circumstances. My sympathies are with his family who have been through a very difficult time.

“Our investigation concluded that local police officers conducted searches and enquiries to the best of their ability although it could have been beneficial had PolSA resources been available from the outset. We are pleased that the force has accepted the organisational learning from our report and is looking to address that.”