Merseyside Police faces probe over missing pensioner

Feb 1 2008

Two police forces are to be investigated over their handling of a search for a pensioner who vanished from hospital and was later found dead.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will probe the investigation carried out by Merseyside and Cheshire police forces into the disappearance and death of 79-year-old Raymond Williams.

Alzheimer’s patient Mr Williams, from St Helens, Merseyside, went missing from Whiston Hospital, on 12 July last year.

An appeal by the Merseyside force at the time described the pensioner as “vulnerable” and “confused”.

They also said he had been spotted by motorists at Wilmere Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, on the day he walked out of the hospital ward.

Following an internal review, Merseyside Police decided to refer the matter to the IPCC in August.

The organisation then took responsibility for managing the force’s on-going inquiries.

But before the investigation was completed, the body of Mr Williams was found on January 7 in Mill Lane, Widnes - just a mile from where he was last seen.

The IPCC’s Commissioner for the North West, Mike Franklin, today decided to upgrade the investigation to an independent one.

Mr Franklin said: “Merseyside Police’s own review highlighted concerns as to whether officers did enough in the initial period after Mr Williams was reported missing.

“It has become apparent that possible sightings of Mr Williams in the initial 48 hour period were reported not only to Merseyside Police, but also to Cheshire Constabulary.

“It is appropriate that the IPCC independently investigates the whole matter now to determine exactly what action was taken by both forces and whether it was sufficient given the vulnerable state Mr Williams was in when he disappeared.”

The death of Mr Williams is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Franklyn added: “My sympathies go out to Mr Williams’ family and friends for their loss.

“I expect our investigation to give them all the answers they require about how the police responded to Mr Williams’ disappearance.”