Unsolved murders - 582/18

Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')

As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.

You asked:

Have there been any unsolved murders since 2005?2. How many staff are on your Major Crime Review Team?

3. In relation to the unsolved murders which are detailed on REF 722/13 please could you detail the following information about each victim, and for any murders which have remained unsolved since 2005:

a. Ethnicity

b. Address/Postcode

c. Occupation (if listed)

d. How long the case has been cold for? (I.e. when was it passed to the major review team?)

5. What is your policy in relation to reviewing unsolved murders? (E.G. 28-day reviews).

In Response:

We have now had the opportunity to fully consider your request and I provide a response for your attention.

Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the Crime Department of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held in part by Northumbria Police.

I am able to disclose the located information to you as follows. 

1.  See attached document.

2. No information held.  Northumbria Police does not currently have a dedicated Major Crime Review Team, however, this position is under consideration presently.  At this time, any review work in respect of homicides, is undertaken by staff within the dedicated Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET).

3.  a, b, c, d.  See attached document.  Please note that as per FOI 722/13, the information at question 3b has been provided in the same format to avoid exemptions being applied.

4.  See attached document.   All of these enquiries sit with the HMET as explained in question 2.

5. Northumbria Police follows, whenever possible, the national principles laid down within the Major Incident Room Administrative Procedures (MIRSAP) and the Murder Manual.  i.e. a formal review of any unsolved murder after 28 days has elapsed.  This review would be undertaken by a separate, nationally accredited, Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), who would be critically examining any policy decisions taken and lines of enquiry set to  ensure that nothing had been missed or overlooked.  All detected murders are also reviewed for best practice and points of learning following charge of a suspect.  As above, the force are presently exploring opportunities for a dedicated review team, financial constraints allowing.