WIREDGOV

The Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) investigations into the police handling of allegations against Ian Watkins have made further progress.

The IPCC’s ongoing independent investigations are focussed on the response of South Wales Police, Bedfordshire Police and South Yorkshire Police to allegations that Mr Watkins was abusing children. The IPCC is investigating the effectiveness of their response to reports of abuse made to them between 2008 and 2012.

Notices have been served on a total of eight police officers advising them they are subject to investigation, and each officer has been interviewed at least once by IPCC investigators.

The officers are: a police sergeant and constable from South Wales Police; a sergeant and constable from Bedfordshire Police; and a sergeant and three constables from South Yorkshire Police.

A significant amount of material and information already gathered in the course of the investigations has been analysed.

The IPCC’s investigation into the responses of Bedfordshire Police is well-advanced. There are further lines of enquiry to be completed in respect of South Yorkshire and South Wales Police, so these investigations will take longer to complete.

IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams said: “There is understandably significant public interest in determining exactly what steps were taken by police in response to the allegations made against Ian Watkins, and whether he could have been brought to justice sooner.

“While our investigations into the three forces have run separately, there are clearly links between them and probing a substantial number of reports and allegations over a four year period has been a complex process. We are working hard to complete our enquiries as soon as possible.”

Notes to Editors

As well as allegations made against the three forces by the same member of the public, the IPCC investigations have considered other reports made and information provided to South Wales Police prior to Mr Watkins’ arrest in late 2012.

Joanne Mjadzelics was interviewed by IPCC investigators at the end of February 2014 in relation to our investigation.