West Mercia Police refers itself to IOPC over Alfie Steele death
It's over West Mercia Police's contact with the family of Alfie Steele before death
West Mercia Police has said it will refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the death of a Droitwich schoolboy.
Alfie Steele, nine, was found dead in the bath at his home in Vashon Drive after being assaulted by his mum and her partner.
But neighbours had raised concerns about Alfie’s welfare in the months leading up to his death, including one making a 999 call to police.
In the call, which was played to the murder trial, the neighbour told police they “heard his mum and her boyfriend doing something bad to him in the bath”.
Carla Scott, 35 and of Vashon Drive, was found guilty of manslaughter, and her partner Dirk Howell, 41 and of Princip Street in Birmingham, of murder.
West Mercia Police has now said it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its contact with the family of Alfie Steele prior to his death.
Acting Deputy Chief Constable Richard Cooper said: “We have been in dialogue with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over our contact with the family of Alfie Steele before his sad death.
“West Mercia Police is committed to ensuring we are transparent and where necessary appropriate scrutiny is applied.
“This includes taking into consideration the view of the IOPC, and on that basis, to ensure an independent assessment, a referral has now been made to the IOPC.
“We, of course, remain committed to engaging with the independent Children's Safeguarding Practice Review which will be published in due course.”