‘Multiple police failings’ in murder investigation, watchdog rules

A police force provided an “unacceptable” level of service to the family of a woman thought to have been killed by her sex offender partner, a watchdog has ruled.

Kelly Faiers, 61, died at Richard Scatchard’s home in Minehead, Somerset, on October 15 2023. Officers attended the scene and spoke to Scatchard, who had previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to victims.

Scatchard, 70, disappeared the next day and was found dead months later.

On Tuesday the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has upheld three of Ms Faiers’ family complaints – criticising the force’s initial response and failings in communication.

Ms Faiers’ family told the BBC they have lost faith in the justice system, and the report has not resulted in closure for them.

Avon and Somerset Police said it has apologised to Ms Faiers’ family, and the IOPC’s concerns are “being closely reviewed and analysed” to consider what improvements to make.

The IOPC launched an investigation in January 2024 following seven complaints made by Ms Faiers’ family.

Scatchard called the ambulance service after Ms Faiers, who was from Weston-super-Mare, fell seriously ill.

She was pronounced dead by paramedics who attended the scene and police then questioned Scatchard. Officers raised concerns about his behaviour and considered arresting him.

However they were told by the criminal investigation department not to – and that her death was to be treated as non-suspicious.

The next day a murder investigation was launched and when officers returned to Scatchard’s home, he had disappeared.

Ms Faiers’ family was not told about the murder enquiry, and that her death was being treated as suspicious, until two days later.

The force said the lack of contact was partly because they could not find a trained family liaison office to meet the family and provide an update in-person.

The family also learned about Scatchard’s criminal record through an online search, the force said, adding it was information which “should have been privately communicated to Ms Faiers’ family in a sensitive way and at an appropriate time”.

The IOPC also found police provided an unacceptable level of service related to failings in communications as Ms Faiers’ family were not told for nine days that Scatchard had been at the property at the time of Ms Faiers’ death.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said the force “could and should have done better”.

“We found the service provided by the force was unacceptable regarding three individual officers, whose actions and decisions fell below expectations,” he said.

Mr Campbell added there was no evidence found “to indicate they may have breached police standards of professional behaviour”.

He said officers “should reflect and learn from the failings we identified” and will take on a process of reflection.

The IOPC is also considering a separate referral made in April 2024 in relation to police contact after confirmation of Scatchard’s death at a caravan site in Watchet. This investigation is ongoing.