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Artist News Legal
Police officers accused of misconduct in investigation of child abuse accusations against Lostprophets’ Ian Watkins
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 4 July 2016
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has reported the findings of two investigations into how South Wales Police investigated allegations of child abuse made against former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins. Its findings recommend that action be taken against three officers for misconduct.
As previously reported, Watkins was arrested in December 2012, accused of serious sexual offences against children. He was later found guilty and sentenced to 29 years in prison. Shortly after his arrest, the IPCC announced that it would investigate allegations that South Wales Police had failed to act quickly enough to arrest Watkins, based on a referral from the force itself.
Two investigations were launched, involving reports and intelligence relating to Watkins dating back as far as 2008. On Friday the IPCC announced that it was recommending that action be taken against one detective sergeant for gross misconduct and misconduct in each investigation respectively. Two detective constables are also accused of misconduct, for failing to follow all “reasonable and practicable” lines of enquiry. South Wales Police has agreed to instigate disciplinary proceedings.
IPCC Commissioner for Wales, Jan Williams, told reporters: “Having completed detailed investigations, over recent months we have liaised with South Wales Police over our misconduct recommendations. We probed a substantial number of reports and allegations relating to Ian Watkins made over a four year period to establish exactly who knew what and when, and how police officers responded. This has been a complex process”.
“We aim to issue our fuller findings, including our examination of the wider organisational response of South Wales Police, following the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings currently being arranged by the force”, she added.
As previously reported, last year the IPCC found that Bedfordshire Police Force had acted properly in relation to accusations made against Watkins.
