Neil Wilby Media

A police watchdog has confirmed the three officers are under investigation following assessment of a referral made to them by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in September, 2022, following the belated discovery of four bodies at a burnt-out mill in Oldham.

GMP had previously referred itself to the force’s internal Professional Standards Branch due to ‘previous contact relating to the fire and missing persons’.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales, says that the investigations relate to that prior contact the subject officers had with the families of Vietnamese men found dead at Bismark House Mill two months after a fire in May, 2022.

The IOPC statement notes that one of the officers, who faces investigation over a potential breach of professional standards so serious that it could amount to gross misconduct, is of senior rank.

The senior officer is alleged to have ‘failed to disclose relevant information regarding a criminal investigation into the recovery of the bodies of four Vietnamese nationals’.

The investigation into the other two officers relates to the ‘extent of checks and action that was taken following information they received’.

The watchdog said statements and interviews with some of the officers involved have been obtained and ‘more lines of enquiry are being progressed’.

They also highlight that the investigation ‘does not necessarily mean misconduct proceedings will follow’.

The bodies of four men were discovered two and a half months after an intense fire ripped through the Oldham mill and a subsequent, full search of the remains took six months.

Fire crews battled for four days to bring the blaze under control and nobody was believed to be inside the building at the time. But demolition workers later discovered partial human remains.

A GMP spokesperson said none of the officers in question have been suspended. The force declined to comment further. It is believed that the senior officer in question was transferred from operational duties to a role within the force’s HQ.

The full IOPC statement reads as follows:

“We began our investigation following a referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in September 2022 in relation to prior contact officers had with the families of Vietnamese men that were found dead at Bissmark Mill in Oldham two months after a fire in July 2022.

“We can confirm a senior GMP officer has been served with a notice informing them they are under investigation for a potential breach of professional standards that could amount to gross misconduct.

“It relates to an allegation that the officer failed to disclose relevant information regarding a criminal investigation into the recovery of the bodies of four Vietnamese nationals in Oldham.

“Two other officers have also served with a notice for informing them they are under investigation for a potential breach of professional standards that could amount to misconduct. This relates to the extent of checks and action that was taken following information they received.

“Statements and interviews with some of the officers have been obtained and more lines of enquiry are being progressed. Notices are issued where there is an indication of misconduct.

“This is ensuring that those under investigation are aware of their rights. It does not necessarily mean misconduct proceedings will follow and, as with any investigation, this is kept under review.”

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Picture credit: BBC

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