Woman and man found dead after contact with police - Northumbria Police, September 2018

On 20 September 2018, Northumbria Police attended an address after a report of a concern for the welfare of one of the occupants. Police officers forced entry to the property and a man and a woman were discovered dead inside. The occupants were subsequently identified and it was revealed the man was the suspect in an investigation being conducted by Northumbria Police.

Our investigators reviewed Northumbria Police’s interactions with the dead woman concerning safeguarding. They also obtained statements from police officers involved in the investigation into offences alleged against the man. All police officers co-operated fully with this investigation.

We also reviewed Northumbria Police documentation produced during the investigation, together with relevant policies and procedures.

The evidence suggested that the officers involved in this matter appeared to have followed relevant Northumbria Police policies and made appropriate decisions which were in line with those policies. The risk assessment relating to the woman appeared to have been correct. Following the release of the man under investigation, it appeared that appropriate steps were taken to account for the woman’s safety. Officers made referrals to relevant support agencies and gave her advice regarding her personal safety. Further action was taken to mitigate any risk.

Based on the evidence available, we found no indication any police officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.

We completed our investigation in May 2019, but waited until the inquests into the woman and the man’s deaths had concluded, in summer 2019, before publishing its outcome.