Police under scrutiny in second report

Cambridgeshire Police were today criticised for their handling of the Soham inquiry in a separate report carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

In the report Her Majesty’s Inspector Sir Ronnie Flanagan said inspectors had found that there was “a lack of grip” at the start of the investigation into the disappearance of Jessica and Holly.

But he said those shortcomings did not undermine the outcome of the case.

He said that whilst the initial response by uniform officers was to a high standard, momentum was lost over the following 48 hours.

His report added that in the early stages of the inquiry there was a “lack of focus and co-ordination”.

Sir Ronnie commended the overall determination and commitment of officers, staff and special constables.

He said Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley had been arrested 13 days into one of the largest murder investigations mounted by an English police force.

He concluded that while the lack of purpose and co-ordination at a strategic command level led to an initial response that fell well below the expectation of the victims’ families, there was no evidence of inherent weakness on the part of Cambridgeshire Police in investigating major incidents.

The HMIC report, also published today, was written separately to the Bichard inquiry and specifically analysed the performance of Cambridgeshire Police during the Soham inquiry.

“I am firmly of the opinion that while errors were made in connection with events surrounding the Soham investigation, there was also a considerable amount of excellent policing delivered by the officers, police staff and special constables of Cambridgeshire. Much of this represents good policing practice, which should be disseminated nationally,” said Sir Ronnie.

“The chief constable of Cambridgeshire constabulary readily accepts that his continued absence on leave during the early part of the investigation was an error, but it is also important to note that his absence did not lead to any loss of evidence or impair the investigation.

“A critical incident of this nature would present a challenge to any police force and it is in this knowledge that chief officers are expected to develop the capability of their force to put systems and staff in place capable of meeting such challenges. It is regrettable that in Cambridgeshire some of these challenges became more substantial than they might have been had the initial response been immediately sustained and better co-ordinated at a strategic command level.

“These criticisms must be put into context – the investigation led to the arrest of Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley within 13 days and a successful prosecution.

“The force has implemented 97% of the recommendations made in an earlier review of the case by the Metropolitan Police with the final one being progressed. They have also learnt a number of lessons from this investigation. It was clear to me when carrying out this review that there is a real commitment to continue to improve the quality of service provided to the people of Cambridgeshire.”