HMICS to undertake review into police call handling following death of pair in M9 crash

An urgent review by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) is to be undertaken into police call handling after officers failed to investigate a report of a crash until three days after it occurred.

The announcement follows the death in hospital of Lamara Bell, 25, who was found alive at the crash beside her dead partner, John Yuill, 28.

Ms Bell, who was put into a medically-induced coma, died yesterday at 0650 at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, suffering from kidney damage as a result of dehydration from being in the wreckage for so long.

Police Scotland admitted the incident was reported to them on Sunday 5 July and was received by an “experienced officer” but was not investigated until the following Wednesday.

The review, which has been ordered by the Scottish government, will look at handling procedures and is being undertaken in parallel to an inquiry by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) into the incident.

Chief constable Sir Stephen House admitted the call received about the crash was not entered into police systems.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This is an extremely tragic case and I welcome the full investigation into what has happened that is being undertaken by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. It is essential that answers are found quickly.

“It is on this basis that, following discussion with the First Minister, I have … directed Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to undertake a formal investigation and review of call handling and process within Police Scotland’s Contact Command and Control Centres. I have spoken to the chief constable and this review has the full support of Police Scotland.

“This independent review will provide the Scottish government with an accurate picture of capacity and capability at present, and clearly identify any issues so they can be promptly remedied.

“This will assist in providing assurance around the operation of call handling within Police Scotland’s Contact Command and Control Centres. On completion the report will be submitted to ministers who will consider its recommendations.

“This will be a thorough and speedy review that will help to ensure that the people of Scotland can have full confidence in this vital public service.”

Regarding the PIRC investigation, a spokesman said: “The commissioner will rigorously pursue a full independent investigation to establish the circumstances of what happened and will focus on why a telephone call made to Police Scotland three days earlier, which reported their car was off the road, was not followed up.

“The commissioner will also examine the robustness of Police Scotland’s missing person inquiry and look at why that inquiry was not linked with the information received in the call, while examining the police procedures used to log this particular call made from a member of the public.”

Calum Steele, from the Scottish Police Federation, told BBC Scotland: “My members and police officers up and down the length and breadth of Scotland are working harder and are busier than ever before.

“I suppose all of this highlights that human beings do make mistakes.

“Of course we try to make sure that we design systems to prevent those mistakes being made, the unfortunate thing is that human beings are fallible.”