Police accused of deaths failings

2011-05-24 12:46:25

24 May 2011 Last updated at 14:46 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Fiona Pilkington officers face misconduct proceedings The family received only eight visits from officers in 10 years

Four officers face misconduct action after police "missed opportunities" to stop youths terrorising a woman who killed herself and her daughter.

Fiona Pilkington, 38, and 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick, who was disabled, died in October 2007 when Ms Pilkington set fire to their car.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has found the family should have been identified as "vulnerable".

They had complained 33 times to Leicestershire Police about harassment.

Continue reading the main story Timeline of harassment October 1997 - Ms Pilkington calls police to say her chequebook has been stolen from her car. October 2000 - Police are called after eggs are thrown at the house. August 2003 - Ms Pilkington's son Anthony Hardwick is punched in the mouth. January 2004 - Ms Pilkington's mother reports that fences are being set on fire. No action is taken by police. July 2004 - Anthony is locked in a shed at knifepoint and has to smash a window to escape. November 2005 - Members of the gang start jumping on the family's hedge. Police say no officer is available. June 2007 - Ms Pilkington reports children smoking in her front garden. An officer reports that she was "over-reacting". October 2007 - Two girls seen jumping on the hedge. Police advise drawing the curtains and ignoring the abuse. Full timeline of abuse

The IPCC said an inspector, a sergeant and two police constables had a case to answer for misconduct, but police stressed that their jobs were not at risk.

In a report published on Tuesday, IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: "There was nothing in place to ensure the Pilkington family were considered by police as vulnerable or repeat victims, contrary to the force's own strategy.

"Systems were in place for officers to have linked the catalogue of incidents but these were not well utilised.

'Gave up'

"Police missed several opportunities to take robust action, inadequately investigated criminal allegations on some occasions and failed to record information on their own intelligence system."

Over the course of 10 years, Ms Pilkington's home in Barwell was repeatedly targeted by groups of up to 16 youngsters, with stones, eggs and flour thrown at the house.

On one occasion, Francecca - who had the mental age of a four-year-old - was told to lift up her night-dress, while her brother Anthony was locked in a shed at knifepoint.

Ms Pilkington reported the incidents, as well as keeping a detailed log, but in total received only eight visits from officers.

An inquest in 2009 heard that six months before her death she had told her family: "I give up."

'Unreserved apologies'

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