IPCC finds failings with Nottinghamshire Police investigation of an assault prior to same offender committing a murder
17 Jun 2014 11:44 AM
An investigation by the
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has found failings in a
Nottinghamshire Police investigation of an assault where the
assailant later went on to commit a murder.
Imran Hussain was convicted of the fatal stabbing of 18
year old Kieran Crump Raiswell in Greater Manchester on 16 January 2013 in an
unprovoked attack. Twelve days previously Mr Hussain had assaulted a man in
Nottingham.
The
IPCC investigation found that a Nottinghamshire Police
officer had a case to answer for misconduct for failing
to conduct a thorough and
timely investigation into the assault by Imran Hussain on
the man in Nottingham, and more particularly: failing to properly handle
exhibit evidence; keep an adequate record of evidence within his pocket note
book; promptly create a crime report and to keep it and other police records
adequately updated with significant details; and pursue appropriate lines of
enquiry, despite having the registration number of the vehicle and a
description of the assailant, to trace and identify the suspect in order to
efficiently progress the investigation.
At
a misconduct meeting held by Nottinghamshire Police on 6 March
the allegation was proven against the officer who will now
receive management advice.
The
IPCC has also made learning recommendations around several gaps identified in
Nottinghamshire Police’s policies and procedures including: the use of
the violent crime handover policy force-wide; improved performance reviews; and
improved communications between intelligence staff, control room staff and
operators.
On
4 January 2013 a man was walking along the street in the Derby Road area of
Nottingham when he was approached by Imran Hussain who punched him to the side
of the head and then ran to a nearby motor vehicle, driving away from the
scene. The attack was unprovoked. The incident was reported to Nottinghamshire
Police along with the registration number of the motor
vehicle.
On
16 January 2013 Kieran Crump Raiswell, aged 18, was fatally stabbed by Imran
Hussain in an unprovoked attack in the Greater Manchester area. He drove away
from the scene in a motor vehicle, which was subsequently identified as the
same vehicle used to drive away from the attack on the man in
Nottingham
Imran Hussain was later arrested, charged and was
convicted of murder on 11 July 2013 at Manchester Crown Court.
IPCC Commissioner Sarah Green said: “This was a
shocking and unprovoked murder of a promising young student. My thoughts are
with Kieran’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“We will sadly never know whether a more
prompt investigation might have deterred Imran Hussain from
going on to commit the grave crime of murder, but it is clear that the officer
did not investigate the initial assault quickly and thoroughly enough, despite
being provided with clear lines of enquiry.
“There are lessons for Nottinghamshire Police to
learn from these events to improve the service they provide in
future.”
The
IPCC investigation concluded in December last year and the
report and findings were shared at that time with Nottinghamshire Police, who
have accepted the IPCC’s recommendations.
For media enquiries
please contact the IPCC press office on 0207-166-3260