Police only found body 10 hours after alarm was raised

THE body of a vulnerable woman was found ten hours after care workers raised concerns about her safety with police.

Watchdogs ruled Police Scotland ‘failed to follow standard procedures and showed a lack of focus’ in responding to calls about the 65-year-old.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) said the woman was last seen alive by two care workers in her Glasgow home on February 23 last year. The following day, they contacted police when they could not gain access.

They told police they were concerned as they could not get in but could hear the woman’s mobile phone ringing. An investigation found two officers who were sent to the woman’s home

‘We apologise for the distress’

decided not to force entry after speaking to their supervisor and the woman’s daughter.

Carers returned to the house at 5pm the same day and were again unable to get in. When they contacted police, they were told there were no resources available to go to the house, despite the woman being on the vulnerable persons’ database.

Pirc found that over the next four hours care staff contacted the force four times. The woman’s daughter also contacted police, telling them she was increasingly concerned.

Officers arrived at 11.40pm and forced entry to the property, where they found the woman, who was not named, dead.

Superintendent Norrie Conway said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family involved and we sincerely apologise for the distress caused by our failings. The recommendations in the Pirc report have been implemented.’