PFD report

Emily Greene · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 6 Oct 2020•South Yorkshire (Western)

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
6

Raised in this report

Recipients
1

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 1 recipient

Stated actions
12

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised6

  1. Lack of clarity in BSARCS referral and actioning
  2. Mishandling of missing person's reports
    Part of recurring concern: Unreliable missing-person response
  3. Failure to provide specialist training before officers start work in a specialist sexual offences unit
    Part of recurring concern: Unsafe allocation and competence of specialist sexual-offences investigators
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 a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.7

  1. Action

    Update and distribute the CID40 sexual-offences aide-memoire and amend the Force intranet guidance.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  2. Action

    Refurbish the remaining Achieving Best Evidence rooms, including Wombwell, after refurbishing four sites.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  3. Action

    Work with SARC services to introduce referral acknowledgments, a consent-based referral form, and recording and follow-up requirements for officers.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 January 2021.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

  1. Position

    The Wombwell ABE room was fit for purpose, and the victim’s mother could not appropriately attend because she was an early-disclosure witness.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of clarity in BSARCS referral and actioning

Wider context from the report

“3. There was lack of clarity around the BSARCS referral and its actioning ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Mishandling of missing person's reports

Wider context from the report

“6. There was mishandling of the missing person's report. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable missing-person response.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to provide specialist training before officers start work in a specialist sexual offences unit

Wider context from the report

“1. There was employment of an officer into a specialist sexual offences unit without the officer being given specialist training before he started work ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unsafe allocation and competence of specialist sexual-offences investigators.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Deficiencies in investigation of sexual assault allegations

Wider context from the report

“2. There were deficiencies by the investigating officer and SYP in relation to the investigation into the allegation of sexual assault ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable police handling of reported sexual assault allegations.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to personally and sensitively explain decisions not to pursue allegations

Wider context from the report

“4. That Emily was never personally seen to sensitively explain the fact of and reasons why the police were not going to take the allegation any further. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable police handling of reported sexual assault allegations.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a suitable room for taking victim video at Wombwell police station

Wider context from the report

“5. There was (and I understand still is) lack of a suitable room for taking the victim video at Wombwell police station ( due to a parent not being able to be accommodated ) ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

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

Update and distribute the CID40 sexual-offences aide-memoire and amend the Force intranet guidance.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The CID 40 Sexual Offences booklet used by officers attending the initial report of sexual offences has been reviewed and updated. This booklet acts as an aide memoire for officers and includes information around victim care, officers' actions and suspect management. The revised booklet is currently being distributed across the Force, and the necessary amendments are also being made to the Force intranet site. A copy of the new booklet has been attached for your reference.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 6 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Refurbish the remaining Achieving Best Evidence rooms, including Wombwell, after refurbishing four sites.

Verbatim wording from the response

“South Yorkshire Police has 10 Achieving Best Evidence rooms within the Force, all of these are fit for purpose but there is currently a programme of refurbishment taking place to enhance them. Four sites have been refurbished in the current financial year and there is a plan to refurbish all remaining ABE rooms, including Wombwell, over the next financial year. There have been delays in this work due to the COVID 19 restrictions.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 10 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Work with SARC services to introduce referral acknowledgments, a consent-based referral form, and recording and follow-up requirements for officers.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The force and the commissioned ISVA services are working together to improve the referral process, ensuring that referrals are acknowledged by the ISVA service along with the development of a form in which the officer will complete with the consent of the victim and then forwarded to the ISVA service. Officers will be directed to electronically record the submission within the investigation along with follow up enquiries with the ISVA service to ensure the victim is being supported.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 7 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Maintain the Smart Contact incident-management system with trained communications staff and ongoing developmental training.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The new incident management system is now fully embedded within the Communications Centre and all staff are fully trained, understand and are familiar with the grading process. Staff receive ongoing developmental training. The force is due to implement a new 'missing from home' IT system called 'Compact' which will improve the forces management and recording of persons reported missing. This new system commences in April 2021.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 11 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Implement the Compact information-technology system for managing and recording persons reported missing.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The new incident management system is now fully embedded within the Communications Centre and all staff are fully trained, understand and are familiar with the grading process. Staff receive ongoing developmental training. The force is due to implement a new 'missing from home' IT system called 'Compact' which will improve the forces management and recording of persons reported missing. This new system commences in April 2021.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 11 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Reinforce the single-point BSARC referral process with officers through Force intranet guidance.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centres) support service covers all four areas of the Force. Barnsley is covered by the BSARC service. The referral process for victims of sexual offences is in place for officers and staff to make a request for support via the professional's portal central on the BSARC webpage. These referrals are sent and allocated at the central hub for ISVA/CHISVA service, located in Doncaster. It has been identified that the referral officer does not receive any acknowledgment that the submission was successful. It has also been identified that different officers used alternative referral processes such as direct emails to ISVA managers and phone calls.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 6 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Reinforce investigation-review requirements with crime managers and supervisors through cascading guidance and regular compliance scrutiny.

Verbatim wording from the response

“An assessment of the quality and efficacy of the investigation review process has recently taken place. All crime managers have been reminded of the process and have been requested to cascade this process to all supervisors. Compliance with the investigation review process in terms of both timeliness and quality is subject of regular scrutiny and performance reporting.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 6 · response
Published 7 January 2021

Open published response

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 Wombwell ABE room was fit for purpose, and the victim’s mother could not appropriately attend because she was an early-disclosure witness.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Achieving Best Evidence Guidance (ABE) issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provides guidance to officers in relation to having other persons present in the interview room. This guidance states that Interview supporters can be present in the interview room if it is necessary and would provide emotional support to the victim. This would only be if appropriate and practical:”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 9 · response
Published 7 January 2021

Open published response

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 was suitably qualified and experienced to investigate sexual offences, having transferred with PIP2 accreditation and completed relevant specialist training.

Verbatim wording from the response

“DC ████████ joined South Yorkshire Police in January 2017 having been previously employed by the Metropolitan Police Service between 2007 and 2014. Having been on a career break for less than 3 years he was accepted as a direct transfer, in accordance with our recruitment policies.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 3 · response
Published 7 January 2021

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.5

  1. 1

    Ensure officers understand the appeal process and provide the Complete Victim Care booklet to all crime victims.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  2. 2

    Continue delivering the nationally accredited specialist child-abuse investigation course in partnership with South Yorkshire local authorities.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  3. 3

    Formally appoint local departmental mentors for transferees moving into substantive posts.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  4. 4

    Develop and deliver a bespoke induction course covering local public-protection processes and victim care for newly posted staff.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 January 2021.
  5. 5

    Maintain the Complete Victim Care framework, including a dedicated theme lead, updated intranet guidance, and a victim-care booklet.

    Stated by South Yorkshire PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 January 2021.

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

Ensure officers understand the appeal process and provide the Complete Victim Care booklet to all crime victims.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The force will ensure all officers are fully sighted in the appeal process and ensure that the CVC booklet is provided to all victims of crime.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 9 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Continue delivering the nationally accredited specialist child-abuse investigation course in partnership with South Yorkshire local authorities.

Verbatim wording from the response

“South Yorkshire Police continue to deliver the national SCAIDP course in partnership with the four local authorities within South Yorkshire. One of the key objectives is to ensure cross over learning with the other agencies and for officers to better understand and be able to contribute to successful partnership working.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 4 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Formally appoint local departmental mentors for transferees moving into substantive posts.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Due to DC ████████ investigative background, he was posted to the Child Protection team at Barnsley, commencing late January 2017. It appears that he worked on a regular basis with another very experienced Detective within the unit. As a consequence of this review the process for transferees has been revisited and there is now an expectation that on moving to their substantive post a local mentor in the same department will be formally appointed to ensure familiarisation with local processes and practice not covered at induction.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 4 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Develop and deliver a bespoke induction course covering local public-protection processes and victim care for newly posted staff.

Verbatim wording from the response

“South Yorkshire Police does however recognise the importance of doing its very best to equip public protection officers and we are therefore developing a bespoke course for staff to attend when they are first posted to work within the department. This course will give additional training around areas including Child Abuse, Sudden Unexpected Death of a Child or Infant, Child Sexual Exploitation, Neglect, Multi Agency working and victim care and referral services. The course will work in partnership with the nationally recognised SCAIDP course to ensure staff have a wide knowledge base of both local and national processes. This course is currently being developed by subject matter experts from across the force; it is anticipated this course will be delivered from April 2021 onwards.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 5 · response
Published 7 January 2021

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

Maintain the Complete Victim Care framework, including a dedicated theme lead, updated intranet guidance, and a victim-care booklet.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Since this time the framework of Complete Victim Care (CVC) has been developed resulting in significant improvements in how the Force provide victim care. The force has a dedicated theme lead along with a regularly updated intranet page and a victim care booklet. The current booklet entitled 'Supporting Victims' contains information for victims and allows the officer to record their contact details and the next steps of an investigation.”

Source location

2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
Page 8 · response
Published 7 January 2021

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026