Watchdog to investigate police over death of OAP

A WATCHDOG has launched an investigation into the police response to a call from an elderly man who was later found dead.

It is believed several hours elapsed between the initial call from the 72-yearold and his body being found at a sheltered housing complex in Inverness in October.

It is understood the investigation relates to the death of Albert Insch.

The Crown Office has asked the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to look into the incident.

A PIRC spokesman said: ‘The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed PIRC to undertake an investigation into the initial police response to a call from a 72-year-old man who was later found dead at a sheltered housing complex in Inverness on Thursday, October 27.

‘A report on the commissioner’s findings will be submitted to the COPFS.’

A police spokesman said: ‘Police Scotland is aware of the PIRC investigation, is fully engaging with the process and will await the findings.’

A resident at the sheltered housing complex said yesterday: ‘It was terrible what happened to him, just awful. Everyone was very upset by the news. It’s so sad thinking of him dying all alone.’

At her Inverness home, retired electrical contractor Mr Insch’s daughter Nicola Cowen said she was aware of the investigation but declined to comment further.