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18/12/2003
Police vetting probe launched following Huntley conviction
Following Ian Huntley's conviction for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman yesterday, an independent inquiry is to be launched into way in which police forces process background checks and handle information on allegations of serious crimes.
Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that the inquiry will examine the "effectiveness of intelligence and vetting practices" carried out by Cambridgeshire and Humberside Police forces into previous allegations made against Huntley.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "I am determined that we should uncover the full facts through this independent inquiry. The inquiry will be conducted speedily to minimise the distress to the two families and ensure that any lessons which need to be learned can be done so quickly."
The Home Secretary has also asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to consider the findings of a review into how Cambridgeshire carried out the early part of the criminal investigation, and work with the force to implement its recommendations.
The move comes after it emerged that background checks, initiated by Soham Village College when Huntley applied for the caretaker post, had failed to unearth records linking Huntley with alleged sex attacks in the North East.
Ian Huntley, who also used the alias Nixon (his mother's maiden name), had contact with Humberside constabulary on 10 occasions between 1995 and 1999.
He was investigated for: three allegations of unlawful sexual intercourse, one of which involved a 13-year-old girl; three allegations of rape, one of which involved a 17-year-old girl; and one allegation of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl.
Ian Huntley's only appearance in court prior to the murders, was when he appeared before Grimsby Crown Court in January 1998 charged with burglary committed in November 1995 and the non-payment of a TV licence fee.
Humberside has admitted that it made a "simple human error" in not taking note of his alias, Ian Nixon, despite his informing police of this during questioning into the alleged rape of a 17-year-old.
Humberside police have been criticised in the media over their "weeding" system, which provided that computer files, relating to allegations not resulting in criminal proceedings, were deleted on a monthly basis. In effect, this meant that every time that Huntley was interviewed over an allegation, it was treated in isolation.
Humberside has said that it has identified two weaknesses in the records system.
The first was that vetting checks were only made on the main Criminal Intelligence Database (CIS). Now, all relevant databases are checked and new technology linking all our systems is on the way, the force said.
The second weakness is was over the Data Protection Act 1984, which states that information cannot be retained solely for the purpose of employment vetting.
To do so would be a breach of the Act. It can only be retained for a policing purpose, the constabulary has said.
However, whether the records held by Humberside police constituted a policing purpose and should have been retained will be a matter for the inquiry.
(gmcg)
Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that the inquiry will examine the "effectiveness of intelligence and vetting practices" carried out by Cambridgeshire and Humberside Police forces into previous allegations made against Huntley.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "I am determined that we should uncover the full facts through this independent inquiry. The inquiry will be conducted speedily to minimise the distress to the two families and ensure that any lessons which need to be learned can be done so quickly."
The Home Secretary has also asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to consider the findings of a review into how Cambridgeshire carried out the early part of the criminal investigation, and work with the force to implement its recommendations.
The move comes after it emerged that background checks, initiated by Soham Village College when Huntley applied for the caretaker post, had failed to unearth records linking Huntley with alleged sex attacks in the North East.
Ian Huntley, who also used the alias Nixon (his mother's maiden name), had contact with Humberside constabulary on 10 occasions between 1995 and 1999.
He was investigated for: three allegations of unlawful sexual intercourse, one of which involved a 13-year-old girl; three allegations of rape, one of which involved a 17-year-old girl; and one allegation of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl.
Ian Huntley's only appearance in court prior to the murders, was when he appeared before Grimsby Crown Court in January 1998 charged with burglary committed in November 1995 and the non-payment of a TV licence fee.
Humberside has admitted that it made a "simple human error" in not taking note of his alias, Ian Nixon, despite his informing police of this during questioning into the alleged rape of a 17-year-old.
Humberside police have been criticised in the media over their "weeding" system, which provided that computer files, relating to allegations not resulting in criminal proceedings, were deleted on a monthly basis. In effect, this meant that every time that Huntley was interviewed over an allegation, it was treated in isolation.
Humberside has said that it has identified two weaknesses in the records system.
The first was that vetting checks were only made on the main Criminal Intelligence Database (CIS). Now, all relevant databases are checked and new technology linking all our systems is on the way, the force said.
The second weakness is was over the Data Protection Act 1984, which states that information cannot be retained solely for the purpose of employment vetting.
To do so would be a breach of the Act. It can only be retained for a policing purpose, the constabulary has said.
However, whether the records held by Humberside police constituted a policing purpose and should have been retained will be a matter for the inquiry.
(gmcg)
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Humberside Police have reported that a helicopter has crashed into the sea off the coast of East Yorkshire. It is understood that a member of the public reported the crash at about 13:40 on Tuesday. The crashed helicopter was found near the lighthouse in Flamborough, police have confirmed. An investigation is underway into the crash.
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22 June 2004
Police failures so serious 'other Huntleys' may be out there: Bichard
Humberside and Cambridgeshire police failings were so serious that there could potentially be others like Ian Huntley who may have slipped through the net and are now working with children and vulnerable adults, according to the man who led a report into the police's handling of events preceding the Soham murders.
Police failures so serious 'other Huntleys' may be out there: Bichard
Humberside and Cambridgeshire police failings were so serious that there could potentially be others like Ian Huntley who may have slipped through the net and are now working with children and vulnerable adults, according to the man who led a report into the police's handling of events preceding the Soham murders.
02 December 2003
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
29 September 2005
Huntley to serve 40 years
Double child murderer Ian Huntley is set to serve at least 40 years in jail. Sentencing Huntley today at the High Court, Mr Justice Moses said that Huntley's offences did not meet the criteria for a "whole-life" tariff, but he said that the 40-year tariff offered little or no hope of release.
Huntley to serve 40 years
Double child murderer Ian Huntley is set to serve at least 40 years in jail. Sentencing Huntley today at the High Court, Mr Justice Moses said that Huntley's offences did not meet the criteria for a "whole-life" tariff, but he said that the 40-year tariff offered little or no hope of release.
08 January 2004
Inquiry into police Soham investigations set to begin
The independent inquiry set up in the wake of the conviction of Soham murderer Ian Huntley will begin its first public session next week. Huntley was convicted on the 17 December for the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
Inquiry into police Soham investigations set to begin
The independent inquiry set up in the wake of the conviction of Soham murderer Ian Huntley will begin its first public session next week. Huntley was convicted on the 17 December for the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
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