Man 'concerned for his mental state' and 'confused' during 999 call before Costessey house deaths - watchdog reveals
The Independent Office for Police Conduct have released a statement following the four deaths.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct have released a statement following the deaths of of four members of the same family at a house in Norfolk.
The bodies of two young girls, a 36-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man were found at an address in Costessey, Norfolk, on Friday morning.
A man called 999 from the property on Allan Bedford Crescent at around 6am that day, but police were not dispatched there.
Officers made the discovery around an hour and 15 minutes later after a member of the public alerted them at around 7am.
Norfolk Constabulary has referred itself to the police watchdog over the delay.
IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said:
“We can confirm that we have started an independent investigation into the contact Norfolk Constabulary had with a man prior to his death and the deaths of three others in a house in Costessey, near Norwich.
“Norfolk Constabulary established that the man had made a 999 call to the force shortly before 6am on 19 January.
“During that call the man expressed concerns for his own mental state saying he was confused. He was advised to seek medical advice and police did not attend.
“At around 7am the force received a call from a dog walker concerned for the welfare of those within the home.
“Officers attended shortly after and, tragically, found the man, a woman and two children dead.
“Following a mandatory referral from the force we have decided to investigate and will be examining if the force’s handling of the contact they had with the man was appropriate and in line with force policy, training and procedures.