PCC calls for review into Leah Croucher search after discovery of human remains
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber says he wants to be sure no mistakes were made by the police when Leah disappeared in 2019
The man charged with holding Thames Valley Police to account has asked for a review of the search for Leah Croucher, saying he wants to be sure no mistakes have been made.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber has asked for a review of everything officers did when Leah was considered a missing person, but adds there's no evidence of any errors yet.
Nineteen-year-old Leah was last seen in February 2019, with human remains found in the loft of a house in Milton Keynes on Wednesday (October 12).
On Friday officers named the prime suspect in the case as Neil Maxwell, who took his own life in April 2019, two months after Leah disappeared.
“The disappearance of Leah Croucher back in 2019 has hung over the community of Milton Keynes," PCC Barber said.
"Hundreds of Thames Valley Police Officers have supported the search for Leah, conducting thousands of house to house enquiries, reviewing many hundreds of hours of CCTV footage."
He says the discovery of human remains will be "the most bitter blow" to Leah's family, who visited the scene and laid flowers on Friday.
“Given the time that has passed questions have inevitably been raised about the earlier investigation and there is an understandable desire for more information," PCC Barber added.
"I have been briefed on developments throughout the week and have naturally discussed the case at length with the Chief Constable.
"None of the information I have received so far leads me to conclude that there were shortcomings in the earlier missing persons investigation.
"Nevertheless, I have requested that the Chief Constable presents me with a review of the case in order to determine if any further inquiry is required."
The house where remains have been found is less than half a mile from where Leah was last seen, while walking to work on the morning of February 15, 2019.
"If mistakes have been made, I will ensure a thorough review of the missing persons investigation, but I must stress that this will be evidence-led and so far I have seen nothing to suggest any reasonable lines of enquiry were missed," PCC Barber said.
"The police and communities across Thames Valley have all been saddened by this week’s discovery.
"Leah’s family have spoken on their thanks to the police and my thoughts are with Leah’s family as they come to terms with this heartbreaking news."