WIREDGOV

Staffordshire Police and West Mercia Police undertook several safeguarding steps following concerns raised by Cheryl Gabriel-Hooper prior to her murder, our investigation  has found.

On 12 January 2018, Ms Gabriel-Hooper contacted Staffordshire Police to report concerns she had around her estranged husband Andrew Hooper’s behaviour, who lived in the force’s area. She described some instances where his behaviour had been intimidating. The force ran checks and identified that Andrew Hooper held a firearms licence with several shotguns. The Staffordshire Police call handler brought the log to the attention of the multi-agency safeguarding hub, child protection, and the firearms licensing unit.

As Ms Gabriel-Hooper lived in Shropshire, Staffordshire Police sent her concerns to West Mercia Police, so they could complete a risk assessment, put the appropriate safeguarding measures in place and obtain a statement from her.

Between 12 and 25 January 2018, West Mercia Police logged various reasons for delays in meeting with Ms Gabriel-Hooper and had been advised by her on 16 January that there had been no further problems with Mr Hooper. A West Mercia Police officer saw Ms Gabriel-Hooper on 25 January 2018 at her home in Newport, Shropshire and obtained further details from her. Ms Gabriel-Hooper’s concerns did not amount to any criminal offences against Andrew Hooper.
On 26 January 2018, Ms Gabriel-Hooper was fatally shot with an unlicensed firearm by Andrew Hooper outside her home.

Our investigation concluded in February but we awaited the outcome of the criminal trial before issuing our findings. At Birmingham Crown Court, 21 June 2019, Andrew Hooper was found guilty of murder.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell recently said:

“I send my condolences again to Ms Gabriel-Hooper’s family and everyone else affected by her traumatic death. After contact from Ms Gabriel-Hooper both police forces took some precautionary steps to help safeguard her and ensure her estranged husband’s access to licensed firearms was removed. Following the police visit the day before she was shot, there wasn’t evidence of higher risk to Ms Gabriel-Hooper to warrant more robust action. Police could not have reasonably foreseen the horrific event that transpired.

“While some enquiries could have been carried out more quickly or thoroughly, we found no indication that any officers or staff acted in a manner that would justify any disciplinary proceedings. Police decision-making and actions were carried out in compliance with relevant force and national policies. As there did not appear to be a process in place by which actions sent to another force are reviewed, we recommended that Staffordshire Police identifies opportunities for improved cross-border liaison.”

The IOPC investigation looked at the initial call made by Ms Gabriel-Hooper to Staffordshire Police and the force’s actions, Staffordshire Police’s response to the knowledge that Andrew Hooper was a firearms licence holder, and West Mercia Police’s response to the incidents transferred to them from Staffordshire Police.
Our investigation found that Staffordshire Police conducted enquiries concerning Andrew Hooper’s firearms, and on 19 January, Andrew Hooper voluntarily surrendered his shotguns to a friend and handed over his licence to Staffordshire Police.

Evidence also showed that a Staffordshire Police officer had re-examined the incident log before Ms Gabriel-Hooper was killed. They found no cause to upgrade the level of risk, but recommended the case was reviewed by a specialist unit within the force dealing with vulnerability.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with either police force may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence. We recommended that Staffordshire Police continues to identify and explore opportunities to improve cross-border liaison and mutual assistance with neighbouring forces. After reviewing our report, both Staffordshire Police and West Mercia Police agreed.

Separately, Ms Gabriel-Hooper’s death met the criteria for a Domestic Homicide Review which has been conducted and consisted of the General Practice and the Clinical Commissioning Group, Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, West Mercia Women’s Aid, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Education Service, Family Connect, and Shropshire and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust.