Christopher Boughton
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2022-0235
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 24 Nov 2022
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
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56-Day Deadline
24 Nov 2022
All responses received
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Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
The evidence of Detective Inspector , Tactical and Policy Lead for MPS, highlighted a concern that in tasking and transferring investigations between bordering Police forces, there is a lack of ownership and discussion between officers at Inspector level or above between forces, which would ensure effective tasking and, when necessary, smooth transfer of investigations. Requests were made by email and CAD, without discussions between officers. This was confirmed in the evidence of Detective Chief Constable of SP, who stated that from her perspective there was a lack of feedback from SP to manage MPS’ expectations regarding a search for Mr Boughton. In respect of the initial search, this meant that SP did not advise MPS that they considered the search request unfeasible given the extent of land outlined and the limitations on searching wooded areas during winter night hours. In respect of the request for a further search with more precise location detailed provided, MPS did not disclose all of the information available
Responses
Response received
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Dear Ms Loxton,
Regulation 28 Report – Mr Christopher Dominic Boughton
I write on behalf of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) in relation to paragraph 7, Schedule 5 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, in relation to the prevention of future deaths report sent via email to the NPCC dated 29th July 2022.
The notice sets out concerns that arose from the information received during the inquest into the death of Mr Boughton which occurred in November 2021. I am very sorry to read of the circumstances of Christopher’s death. My sympathies are with his family and friends, and I share your commitment to addressing the issues you have highlighted.
The notice sets out your principal concern in relation to cross border investigations stating that the lack of any detailed requirement for telephone discussion between appropriate police officers on sending through written tasking requests and considering transfers of investigations means that an opportunity to discuss and ensure smooth transition and passing on of relevant information is lost. This may cause delay in effective action being taken by the tasked Force, or (in the case of transfers) by the force to whom it is considered a transfer will be made.
The Authorised Professional Practice (APP) which is the official source of professional practice for policing states the following in relation to cross-border cases:
Cross-border cases
Difficulties can arise when a person reported missing resides outside the area where the report is being made, for example, a student in temporary accommodation or a day trip visitor. The police area that receives the report must record it and carry out all necessary initial actions. If the responsibility for a case is subsequently transferred to another force area, the rationale for doing so must be recorded. Written acknowledgement from the receiving force should be obtained. When deciding where ownership of the investigation lies, the principal issue is to consider where the majority of the enquiries are and who has the greatest opportunity of locating the missing person. It is probable that the place where the person was last seen would generate the majority of the initial enquiries (although this is not always the case, see also Out-of-area placements).
Cross-border enquiries
In cross-border tasking and requests, details of the result of the risk assessment carried out by the investigating force, and other contextual information, should be passed to forces likely to become involved in the enquiry. This transfer of information allows colleagues to decide on the focus of their enquiries. There is a responsibility on communications staff and investigating officers to request this information. The officer in charge of the investigation in the initiating force should ensure that all relevant information, including the risk assessment, is passed to the force that will be managing subsequent enquiries. It is important that there is a seamless transfer of responsibility for the investigation so that no cases are missed. The officer making the transfer should check that all materials have been received in the receiving force and that details of the person who received the information are noted. Developing a process that includes providing this additional information will reduce the risk to all involved. All police forces should have email addresses that are available 24 hours a day so that investigation records can be shared and transferred where relevant.
Further to the APP guidance a Task and Finishing Group has been initiated focusing on the very issue you have outlined. Draft NPCC advice on ‘Requesting Missing Person Enquiries in Another Force and Transfers of Investigations’ has been developed and has now been circulated for comment prior to finalisation and wider circulation.
I hope that the information that has been provided goes some way to reassure you that the matters of concern you have raised have been addressed and will be subject to continual review.
For any further information please contact my Staff Officer
who will be happy to address any concerns and answer any questions.
Regulation 28 Report – Mr Christopher Dominic Boughton
I write on behalf of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) in relation to paragraph 7, Schedule 5 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, in relation to the prevention of future deaths report sent via email to the NPCC dated 29th July 2022.
The notice sets out concerns that arose from the information received during the inquest into the death of Mr Boughton which occurred in November 2021. I am very sorry to read of the circumstances of Christopher’s death. My sympathies are with his family and friends, and I share your commitment to addressing the issues you have highlighted.
The notice sets out your principal concern in relation to cross border investigations stating that the lack of any detailed requirement for telephone discussion between appropriate police officers on sending through written tasking requests and considering transfers of investigations means that an opportunity to discuss and ensure smooth transition and passing on of relevant information is lost. This may cause delay in effective action being taken by the tasked Force, or (in the case of transfers) by the force to whom it is considered a transfer will be made.
The Authorised Professional Practice (APP) which is the official source of professional practice for policing states the following in relation to cross-border cases:
Cross-border cases
Difficulties can arise when a person reported missing resides outside the area where the report is being made, for example, a student in temporary accommodation or a day trip visitor. The police area that receives the report must record it and carry out all necessary initial actions. If the responsibility for a case is subsequently transferred to another force area, the rationale for doing so must be recorded. Written acknowledgement from the receiving force should be obtained. When deciding where ownership of the investigation lies, the principal issue is to consider where the majority of the enquiries are and who has the greatest opportunity of locating the missing person. It is probable that the place where the person was last seen would generate the majority of the initial enquiries (although this is not always the case, see also Out-of-area placements).
Cross-border enquiries
In cross-border tasking and requests, details of the result of the risk assessment carried out by the investigating force, and other contextual information, should be passed to forces likely to become involved in the enquiry. This transfer of information allows colleagues to decide on the focus of their enquiries. There is a responsibility on communications staff and investigating officers to request this information. The officer in charge of the investigation in the initiating force should ensure that all relevant information, including the risk assessment, is passed to the force that will be managing subsequent enquiries. It is important that there is a seamless transfer of responsibility for the investigation so that no cases are missed. The officer making the transfer should check that all materials have been received in the receiving force and that details of the person who received the information are noted. Developing a process that includes providing this additional information will reduce the risk to all involved. All police forces should have email addresses that are available 24 hours a day so that investigation records can be shared and transferred where relevant.
Further to the APP guidance a Task and Finishing Group has been initiated focusing on the very issue you have outlined. Draft NPCC advice on ‘Requesting Missing Person Enquiries in Another Force and Transfers of Investigations’ has been developed and has now been circulated for comment prior to finalisation and wider circulation.
I hope that the information that has been provided goes some way to reassure you that the matters of concern you have raised have been addressed and will be subject to continual review.
For any further information please contact my Staff Officer
who will be happy to address any concerns and answer any questions.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
The inquest into the death of Christopher Dominic Boughton was opened on 16th December 2021. It was resumed and evidence was heard on 7th and 8th July 2022, when it was concluded. I found the medical cause of death to be: 1a. Suspension I determined that Mr Boughton took his own life by hanging in a wooded location in Oxshott, Surrey, at some point between being dropped off in the vicinity by a taxi on the morning of 3rd November 2021 and when he was found deceased by friends searching for him on the morning of 5th November 2021. He was reported missing to Police by his Partner and subsequently by his Father just after midnight on 4th November 2021. He was found by friends searching known areas that he liked to visit in the vicinity of where his mobile phone indicated he was located.
Circumstances of the Death
2 RT4563 On the morning of 3rd November 2021, Mr Boughton left his home in Lambeth, seemingly to attend his office in London for work. He had told his partner the previous day that he felt he was having a breakdown and that he had no way out of this situation. He did not arrive at work and was reported missing by his Partner and then his Father just after midnight on 4th November 2021. The investigation was assigned to the Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”). On the evening of 4th November 2021, phone cell site data showed Mr Boughton’s mobile phone to be in the Leatherhead area. An email was sent by MPS to Surrey Police (“SP”) using non-urgent email addresses, attaching a map showing an area measuring 3,126 metres in Leatherhead, Surrey, and MPS tasked SP to “send a unit to search the area”. SP deployed a unit to check car parks and train stations in the area but without success. At 04.52am, MPS were able to ascertain from financial enquiries into Mr Boughton’s accounts and resulting enquiries with Uber that Mr Boughton had been dropped off by taxi at Fairoak Lane at the Junction with The Avenue in Oxshott on the morning of 3rd November 2021. Again, this information was sent by MPS to SP via non-urgent email addresses, but was responded to within 10 minutes, with SP iCAD being re-opened and updated at 5.06am with the location where Mr Boughton had been dropped off and a request to check this area. MPS indicated they considered the investigation should now be transferred to SP, but SP awaited the written transfer form from MPS. Family and friends of Mr Boughton organised a search of the area, with knowledge of his known favourite locations, and he was found, obviously deceased, at 8am, prior to SP undertaking a further search.
Copies Sent To
1. See paragraph 1 above
3. , Legal Department, Metropolitan Police Service
4. , Weightmans LLP for Surrey Police
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.