24 Apr 2026 Ellie Mae Herron · Prevention of Future Deaths report East Riding and Hull
View report summary
Concerns raised 4 Alcohol consumption in Pearson Park View source Drug selling and drug abuse in Pearson Park View source Criminal activity in Pearson Park View source Rough sleeping in Pearson Park View source See 1 more concern
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised. 6
Action
Continue operations targeting organised crime groups, drug supply and related addresses through patrols, warrants, arrests and disruption activity.
Stated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source
Action
Implement environmental and surveillance measures in Pearson Park, including cameras, CCTV repair, lighting, vegetation management, property boarding and electrical isolation.
Stated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source
Action
Deploy dedicated detectives and daily crime-log reviews to expedite action against priority nominals and crimes linked to Operation Vortex.
Stated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source
Action
Continue intelligence development and coordinated tasking using problem profiles, a tiered nominal list, hotspot data and regular information-sharing with partners.
Stated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source
Action
Use vulnerability forms and referrals to enable assessment, information-sharing and multi-agency support for people with multiple unmet needs.
Stated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source
Action
Continue targeted enforcement against drug use, antisocial behaviour and priority nominals through PSPO action, CPNW, CPN and CBO processes.
Stated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 6 May 2026. View source See 3 more actions
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AI-generated summary
Ellie Mae Herron · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Ellie Mae Herron, who had a significant history of mental health issues, alcohol dependence and a chaotic lifestyle, was found suspended from a steel gate on 8 December 2025 and was later declared deceased in hospital. The inquest concluded suicide. The report raised concerns about the risks to vulnerable people associated with drug use, alcohol abuse, rough sleeping and criminal activity in Pearson Park.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Alcohol consumption in Pearson Park
Wider context from the report “Pearson Park is frequented by individuals who sell and abuse drugs, drink alcohol and in addition, many individuals sleep rough in the park. It is well known that criminal activities of various sorts occurs in this park, and vulnerable individuals are at high risk as a consequence.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Drug selling and drug abuse in Pearson Park
Wider context from the report “Pearson Park is frequented by individuals who sell and abuse drugs , drink alcohol and in addition, many individuals sleep rough in the park. It is well known that criminal activities of various sorts occurs in this park, and vulnerable individuals are at high risk as a consequence.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Criminal activity in Pearson Park
Wider context from the report “Pearson Park is frequented by individuals who sell and abuse drugs, drink alcohol and in addition, many individuals sleep rough in the park. It is well known that criminal activities of various sorts occurs in this park , and vulnerable individuals are at high risk as a consequence.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Rough sleeping in Pearson Park
Wider context from the report “Pearson Park is frequented by individuals who sell and abuse drugs, drink alcohol and in addition, many individuals sleep rough in the park . It is well known that criminal activities of various sorts occurs in this park, and vulnerable individuals are at high risk as a consequence.
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue operations targeting organised crime groups, drug supply and related addresses through patrols, warrants, arrests and disruption activity.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Work continues in relation to Organised Crime Groups acting in and around the area to arrest, and bring to justice.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Implement environmental and surveillance measures in Pearson Park, including cameras, CCTV repair, lighting, vegetation management, property boarding and electrical isolation.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Two Tactical Surveillance Unit cameras have been installed in the area” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Deploy dedicated detectives and daily crime-log reviews to expedite action against priority nominals and crimes linked to Operation Vortex.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Two dedicated Detective Constable’s have been allocated to the operation to expedite any crimes that occur linked to nominals on the tiered list, linked to Op Vortex area, or are crimes related to Op Vortex.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue intelligence development and coordinated tasking using problem profiles, a tiered nominal list, hotspot data and regular information-sharing with partners.
Verbatim wording from the response “• A tiered list run by Hull City Council has been introduced to manage nominals in the area. These are individuals identified through police tasking processes as priority subjects based on repeat behaviour, risk, and community impact.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Use vulnerability forms and referrals to enable assessment, information-sharing and multi-agency support for people with multiple unmet needs.
Verbatim wording from the response “Humberside Police complete a Vulnerable Adult form in relation to concerns they have when engaging with a member of the public. This enables assessment within our vulnerability hub and information sharing between partner agencies.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Continue targeted enforcement against drug use, antisocial behaviour and priority nominals through PSPO action, CPNW, CPN and CBO processes.
Verbatim wording from the response “Humberside Police take regular robust enforcement options including those detailed below. For the North Bank Command Senior Leadership Team this area of Hull remains a priority for resources, prevention activity, and intelligence gathering. We will continue to target drug use in this area.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Existing and continuing policing, prevention, intelligence-gathering and partnership support fully address the identified concerns around Pearson Park.
Verbatim wording from the response “As above, the area of and surrounding Pearson Park in Hull remains a priority for Humberside Police in terms of resources, prevention activity, and intelligence gathering. This is to target drug use and Anti-Social Behaviour, and assist partnership agencies to provide support to vulnerable individuals in the area.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
19 Jan 2024 William Steven Helstrip · Prevention of Future Deaths report East Riding and Hull
View report summary
Concerns raised 2 Failure to preserve time-sensitive CCTV evidence relevant to suspect identification View source Failure to adequately assess information relevant to suspicious circumstances and third-party involvement View source
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
×
AI-generated summary
William Steven Helstrip · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
William Steven Helstrip, aged 18, was found deceased on 26 May 2022 after taking various drugs sourced from the internet, which led to cardiorespiratory depression and death. His parents reported that the drugs had been bought on the Dark Web and sent by recorded delivery, but the initial police investigation concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement. A later investigation was compromised because time-sensitive CCTV footage had been irretrievably lost, affecting the identification of the suspect.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to preserve time-sensitive CCTV evidence relevant to suspect identification
Wider context from the report “The Deceased’s parents informed the attending police officer that Mr Helstrip had been buying drugs from the “Dark Web” and that packages containing these drugs had been sent, recorded delivery, via Royal Mail to his premises. Despite this, the police investigation concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement surrounding Mr Helstrip’s death and hence no criminal investigation took place. This was based on the attending officer’s impression, which did not appear to take into consideration the information about the sourcing and method of delivery of the drugs. Subsequently, Mr Helstrip’s parents contacted the then Chief Constable of Humberside Police, in 2023 informing him of their concerns about the lack of investigation on the part of the police. A senior investigating officer was then allocated to the case, who looked at the issue of illicit drugs being sent via Royal Mail, by recorded delivery, to see whether the vendor of these substances could be identified and help police with their inquiries. Evidence was heard from this detective, that whilst the investigation is still on-going, time sensitive evidence in the form of CCTV footage from the post office from whence the package was sent, is irretrievably lost , and that this has compromised the identification of the suspect .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to adequately assess information relevant to suspicious circumstances and third-party involvement
Wider context from the report “The Deceased’s parents informed the attending police officer that Mr Helstrip had been buying drugs from the “Dark Web” and that packages containing these drugs had been sent, recorded delivery, via Royal Mail to his premises. Despite this, the police investigation concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement surrounding Mr Helstrip’s death and hence no criminal investigation took place . This was based on the attending officer’s impression, which did not appear to take into consideration the information about the sourcing and method of delivery of the drugs . Subsequently, Mr Helstrip’s parents contacted the then Chief Constable of Humberside Police, in 2023 informing him of their concerns about the lack of investigation on the part of the police. A senior investigating officer was then allocated to the case, who looked at the issue of illicit drugs being sent via Royal Mail, by recorded delivery, to see whether the vendor of these substances could be identified and help police with their inquiries. Evidence was heard from this detective, that whilst the investigation is still on-going, time sensitive evidence in the form of CCTV footage from the post office from whence the package was sent, is irretrievably lost, and that this has compromised the identification of the suspect.
” Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review the sudden and unexpected death policy and amend it to address drug-related deaths and recordable drug deliveries.
Verbatim wording from the response “3. Review of sudden and unexpected death policy – with an amendment regarding drug related deaths and advice given to follow lines of enquiry where a drug is believed to have been posted through a recordable means.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Refresh fast-track actions and Golden Hour Principles through continuing professional development for patrol constables and sergeants.
Verbatim wording from the response “2. Fast-track actions and Golden Hour Principles to be refreshed during CPD sessions for Patrol PC’s and Sergeants. Officers need to be directed to conduct critical enquiries at the point of first attendance and not wait for a formal request to prevent evidence loss.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation The officer considered the family’s information and seized relevant packaging and invoices; the substances were not illegal when purchased.
Verbatim wording from the response “The investigation review found that the officer in the case (OIC) was cognisant of the information provided by Mr Helstrip’s family that it was possible Mr Helstrip had obtained drugs from the internet and in particular the dark web. The OIC acted upon this information as he seized packaging and invoices of the various drugs/supplements found on the day Mr Helstrip was discovered deceased. It is worth noting that the identification of the substances purchased online by Mr Helstrip prior to death were not at that time illegal, however since then legislation has changed and they would now be a controlled substance.” Source location Response from Humberside Police
Open published response
Concerns raised 3 Failure to condition firearms licensing delegation on adequate training View source Absence of a mandatory requirement for role-specific firearms licensing training View source Lack of nationally accredited training for firearms licensing staff View source
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
×
AI-generated summary
Maxine Betty Davison and 4 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
On 12 August 2021, Jake Davison used a lawfully held shotgun to kill his mother, Maxine Davison, and four other people in Keyham, Plymouth. The inquest identified serious failures in firearms licensing, including inadequate training, governance, supervision, scrutiny, information gathering and decisions to grant and return the shotgun certificate. The report expressed particular concern about the continuing lack of nationally accredited and mandatory training for firearms licensing staff and the risk of incorrect licensing decisions and future deaths.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to condition firearms licensing delegation on adequate training
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that there is an urgent need to develop a national accredited training for FELU staff that covers how to apply the relevant Home Office Guidance on firearms licencing including, in particular, training in assessing the suitability of applicants to be granted a licence. The development of such accredited training is vitally important to achieve consistency and drive up standards.
I am concerned that there is currently no requirement or guidance that FELU staff should undergo mandatory training. I am also concerned that there is currently no requirement that Chief Officers of Police may only delegate decision making authority regarding issuing firearms licences to a person who has undergone adequate training .
Whilst I acknowledged that the current NPCC lead for firearms licencing is now working with the College of Policing and others to develop the required training, I am concerned to ensure that the momentum to effect change after the horrific tragedy in Keyham should not be lost, as it has been in respect of lessons and recommendations over the past 27 years.
I am therefore reporting the matters above to:
The NPCC lead for firearms licencing and all other Chief Constables in England and Wales
So that each Chief Constable is made aware of my concern that, that despite the many recommendations made over the past 27 years, there continues to be a lack of nationally accredited training for their FELU staff.
I also report my concern that in the absence of such the training there is a risk that the Statutory Guidance is not being appropriately applied by FELU staff today, and so each Chief Constable may need to take steps to satisfy themselves that (i) adequate local training, of a satisfactory standard has been universally delivered to all their FELU staff and supervisors in applying the Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licencing Law (published in November 2022) and the revised Statutory Guidance for Chief officers of Police (published in February 2023) and (ii) they have only delegated decision making to persons who have undergone adequate training in firearms licencing and in applying that recent Guidance.
The College of Policing (CoP)
So that the College of Policing is made aware of my concern that
(1) despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, and the earlier requests made specifically to the College of Policing asking for such training to be developed, no accredited training as yet exists.
(2) neither the current CoP APP guidance on firearms nor the proposed update (which I am assured is still under consultation) includes any requirement that FELU staff are trained in firearms licencing generally or trained in conducting suitability assessments in particular.
The Home Secretary and The Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire
So that they may be made aware of my concern that despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, beginning with the Cullen report in 1996:
(i) successive governments appear to have failed to ensure that any guidance is produced that makes having training in firearms licencing generally (and in conducting suitability assessments in particular) mandatory for all FELU staff;
(ii) there appears to be no requirement that Chief Officers of Police should only delegate authority to issue and revoke licences to officers and staff who have completed adequate (and preferably nationally accredited) training .
I am concerned that the lack of accredited training combined with the absence of a mandatory requirement for all those making firearms licensing decisions to undertake adequate training for their role increases the risk of incorrect decision making and, consequently, increases the risk of future deaths.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Absence of a mandatory requirement for role-specific firearms licensing training
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that there is an urgent need to develop a national accredited training for FELU staff that covers how to apply the relevant Home Office Guidance on firearms licencing including, in particular, training in assessing the suitability of applicants to be granted a licence. The development of such accredited training is vitally important to achieve consistency and drive up standards.
I am concerned that there is currently no requirement or guidance that FELU staff should undergo mandatory training . I am also concerned that there is currently no requirement that Chief Officers of Police may only delegate decision making authority regarding issuing firearms licences to a person who has undergone adequate training.
Whilst I acknowledged that the current NPCC lead for firearms licencing is now working with the College of Policing and others to develop the required training, I am concerned to ensure that the momentum to effect change after the horrific tragedy in Keyham should not be lost, as it has been in respect of lessons and recommendations over the past 27 years.
I am therefore reporting the matters above to:
The NPCC lead for firearms licencing and all other Chief Constables in England and Wales
So that each Chief Constable is made aware of my concern that, that despite the many recommendations made over the past 27 years, there continues to be a lack of nationally accredited training for their FELU staff.
I also report my concern that in the absence of such the training there is a risk that the Statutory Guidance is not being appropriately applied by FELU staff today, and so each Chief Constable may need to take steps to satisfy themselves that (i) adequate local training, of a satisfactory standard has been universally delivered to all their FELU staff and supervisors in applying the Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licencing Law (published in November 2022) and the revised Statutory Guidance for Chief officers of Police (published in February 2023) and (ii) they have only delegated decision making to persons who have undergone adequate training in firearms licencing and in applying that recent Guidance.
The College of Policing (CoP)
So that the College of Policing is made aware of my concern that
(1) despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, and the earlier requests made specifically to the College of Policing asking for such training to be developed, no accredited training as yet exists.
(2) neither the current CoP APP guidance on firearms nor the proposed update (which I am assured is still under consultation) includes any requirement that FELU staff are trained in firearms licencing generally or trained in conducting suitability assessments in particular .
The Home Secretary and The Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire
So that they may be made aware of my concern that despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, beginning with the Cullen report in 1996:
(i) successive governments appear to have failed to ensure that any guidance is produced that makes having training in firearms licencing generally (and in conducting suitability assessments in particular) mandatory for all FELU staff ;
(ii) there appears to be no requirement that Chief Officers of Police should only delegate authority to issue and revoke licences to officers and staff who have completed adequate (and preferably nationally accredited) training.
I am concerned that the lack of accredited training combined with the absence of a mandatory requirement for all those making firearms licensing decisions to undertake adequate training for their role increases the risk of incorrect decision making and, consequently, increases the risk of future deaths.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Humberside Police; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of nationally accredited training for firearms licensing staff
Wider context from the report “I am concerned that there is an urgent need to develop a national accredited training for FELU staff that covers how to apply the relevant Home Office Guidance on firearms licencing including, in particular, training in assessing the suitability of applicants to be granted a licence. The development of such accredited training is vitally important to achieve consistency and drive up standards.
I am concerned that there is currently no requirement or guidance that FELU staff should undergo mandatory training. I am also concerned that there is currently no requirement that Chief Officers of Police may only delegate decision making authority regarding issuing firearms licences to a person who has undergone adequate training.
Whilst I acknowledged that the current NPCC lead for firearms licencing is now working with the College of Policing and others to develop the required training, I am concerned to ensure that the momentum to effect change after the horrific tragedy in Keyham should not be lost, as it has been in respect of lessons and recommendations over the past 27 years.
I am therefore reporting the matters above to:
The NPCC lead for firearms licencing and all other Chief Constables in England and Wales
So that each Chief Constable is made aware of my concern that, that despite the many recommendations made over the past 27 years, there continues to be a lack of nationally accredited training for their FELU staff .
I also report my concern that in the absence of such the training there is a risk that the Statutory Guidance is not being appropriately applied by FELU staff today, and so each Chief Constable may need to take steps to satisfy themselves that (i) adequate local training, of a satisfactory standard has been universally delivered to all their FELU staff and supervisors in applying the Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licencing Law (published in November 2022) and the revised Statutory Guidance for Chief officers of Police (published in February 2023) and (ii) they have only delegated decision making to persons who have undergone adequate training in firearms licencing and in applying that recent Guidance.
The College of Policing (CoP)
So that the College of Policing is made aware of my concern that
(1) despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, and the earlier requests made specifically to the College of Policing asking for such training to be developed, no accredited training as yet exists .
(2) neither the current CoP APP guidance on firearms nor the proposed update (which I am assured is still under consultation) includes any requirement that FELU staff are trained in firearms licencing generally or trained in conducting suitability assessments in particular.
The Home Secretary and The Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire
So that they may be made aware of my concern that despite the repeated recommendations being made over the past 27 years, beginning with the Cullen report in 1996:
(i) successive governments appear to have failed to ensure that any guidance is produced that makes having training in firearms licencing generally (and in conducting suitability assessments in particular) mandatory for all FELU staff;
(ii) there appears to be no requirement that Chief Officers of Police should only delegate authority to issue and revoke licences to officers and staff who have completed adequate (and preferably nationally accredited) training.
I am concerned that the lack of accredited training combined with the absence of a mandatory requirement for all those making firearms licensing decisions to undertake adequate training for their role increases the risk of incorrect decision making and, consequently, increases the risk of future deaths.
” Open source report
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations