Investigation into police contact with man who reported racial abuse from neighbours – Greater Manchester Police, October 2021

Between June and October 2021, a man made several calls to the police reporting that he was experiencing racial abuse from his neighbours.

He had reported racial abuse since 2017, including reports of physical assault, anti-social behaviour by children and adults, racial slurs, and damage to his property. Calls had also been received from some of the man’s neighbours who were concerned for his welfare after reporting he was shouting and playing music loudly. These calls were typically closed after speaking to the man on the phone, or after officers spoke to him in person.

In October 2021, the man was involved in a physical altercation with his neighbours, where he sustained a head injury. Police officers arrested the man for criminal damage and assault. The officers believed the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and he was taken to hospital. He was later transferred to a mental health hospital where he was assessed and detained under the Mental Health Act.

In the following days, the man remained in hospital but suffered health complications. His condition deteriorated, and he sadly died. Three members of the public were arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail. No further criminal action was taken.

We received a death or serious injury referral from the force in 2021. The man’s family also complained that the police did nothing to support their family member, later choosing to arrest only him, and while he was seriously injured.

We decided to independently investigate the nature and extent of contact between the police and the man between June 2021 and the man’s death in October 2021, also considering the man’s reports of racial abuse to the police since 2017. We examined the police response to the man’s reports of racial abuse and harassment, and if officers treated the man less favourably because of his race and/or mental health. We also considered whether police actions were in line with local and national policies, procedures, legislation and training.

Our investigators obtained a wealth of evidence, including officer statements, police logs, crime reports, 999 calls, and body worn video footage. We also reviewed local and national force policies.

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner to justify disciplinary proceedings.

We did find that the level of service the man received from the police about his complaints differed between incidents. Some elements of policing were positive, but overall areas fell short of the required standards.

Individual actions were sometimes unprofessional and lacked empathy towards a repeat victim of crime. The approach taken by some call handlers was clouded because the man often made 999 calls and was considered a nuisance caller. The force dealt with the reports made by the man in isolation and there is little evidence they adopted a holistic approach. This led to missed opportunities in terms of safeguarding, crime reporting and future crime prevention.

We recommended that one of the officers would benefit from the reflective practice review process (RPRP). This process allows officers to learn from and reflect on what could have been done better.

We recommended this officer should reflect on how to handle and report allegations of hate crime, dealing with members of the public who experience mental ill health, and the use of appropriate language when speaking to or about vulnerable people. We also recommended they revisit local and national policies and procedures regarding the requirement for care plans and crime recording.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

We recommended the force consider changes to how they take multiple calls from vulnerable people and the right care right person system. The force confirmed numerous changes to address these matters.