The IPCC has today published a report in relation to the findings of their investigation into the actions of Devon and Cornwall Police following the murder of Keith Dance at his home in Plymouth on 10th March 2013.

On Friday 8th March 2013, Mr Dance telephoned the police and spoke with a call handler to report that he had been assaulted with a knife and had items stolen from his home by his ex partner, Jacqueline Cooke, and his former flatmate, Ian Gollop, who had a set of keys to Mr Dance’s home. The investigation concluded that the 30 minute call - although difficult - was handled poorly. The call handler did not adequately consider all the available evidence which should have resulted in her identifying Mr Dance’s vulnerability.

Although officers went on to take a statement from Mr Dance the following day, the investigation was not progressed adequately. After taking a statement from Mr Dance and visiting his ex partner’s address shortly afterwards, police did not appear to make any further attempts to locate Mr Dance’s ex partner until Tuesday 12th March 2013, when she called to inform them that she had stabbed Mr Dance to death at his flat two days previously.

The IPCC investigation found a case to answer for misconduct for the call handler for the way in which she handled the original call. Unsatisfactory performance was identified for the two police officers – a detective sergeant and a detective constable - who were responsible for conducting the investigation.

Stephensons Solicitors LLP acts for the family of Mr Dance who welcome the findings of the IPCC regarding the failures identified in the initial call handling and the subsequent police investigation. The circumstances surrounding Keith’s death continue to cause immense distress and hurt to the family.

The family hopes that the findings of the IPCC will assist them in their efforts to have the inquest into Keith’s death re-opened now that an independent investigation has concluded that there were failures on the part of the police.

The family believe that Keith’s death could have been prevented had appropriate action been taken by the police following Keith’s initial telephone conversation with the police call handler.

ENDS

Media information:        Lianne Tracey

                                    Stephensons Solicitors LLP

                                    Tel: 01616 966 229

                                    Email: lct@stephensons.co.uk