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Suicide family 'failed by police' Suicide family 'failed by police'
(about 8 hours later)
A mother's plea for help to police call handlers hours before her mentally ill son committed suicide was "dismissed or underestimated" a watchdog said.A mother's plea for help to police call handlers hours before her mentally ill son committed suicide was "dismissed or underestimated" a watchdog said.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Humberside Police should improve call handling.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Humberside Police should improve call handling.
Sean Emerson's mother called police from her Grimsby home in July 2008 worried about her son's behaviour.Sean Emerson's mother called police from her Grimsby home in July 2008 worried about her son's behaviour.
An IPCC investigation found officers could have been sent. Humberside Police accepted failings in their system.An IPCC investigation found officers could have been sent. Humberside Police accepted failings in their system.
An IPCC investigation found officers could have been sent. Humberside Police accepted failings in their system. 'No resources'
The investigation found that homeless 29-year-old Mr Emerson had been reported drunk and behaving erratically outside his mother's home in Roberts Street on 7 July 2008.The investigation found that homeless 29-year-old Mr Emerson had been reported drunk and behaving erratically outside his mother's home in Roberts Street on 7 July 2008.
But police call handlers did not send anyone to the scene and told Mr Emerson's mother there were "no resources available" despite being told Mr Emerson may harm himself.But police call handlers did not send anyone to the scene and told Mr Emerson's mother there were "no resources available" despite being told Mr Emerson may harm himself.
Mr Emerson was found hanged in the family's garden early on 8 July by his mother.Mr Emerson was found hanged in the family's garden early on 8 July by his mother.
The Police National Computer held information relating to Mr Emerson's mental health issues and his risk of self-harm, but it was not the Humberside force's policy for call handlers to access that information.The Police National Computer held information relating to Mr Emerson's mental health issues and his risk of self-harm, but it was not the Humberside force's policy for call handlers to access that information.
Some members of staff did not fully appreciate how vulnerable Sean was Humberside Police
Nicholas Long, IPCC Commissioner for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "It is apparent that Humberside Police has worked hard to implement national call handling standards.Nicholas Long, IPCC Commissioner for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "It is apparent that Humberside Police has worked hard to implement national call handling standards.
"However, in this case it appears the warnings relating to Mr Emerson's vulnerability were either dismissed, totally underestimated or the call handlers did not have access to relevant information."However, in this case it appears the warnings relating to Mr Emerson's vulnerability were either dismissed, totally underestimated or the call handlers did not have access to relevant information.
"The initial call was graded to require a rapid response, but the dispatcher could not find an available resource."The initial call was graded to require a rapid response, but the dispatcher could not find an available resource.
"Our investigation identified resources that did appear available and we have recommended that Humberside Police consider using all available resources during periods of high demand and also ensure the information on response officers' availability is accurate and up-to-date.""Our investigation identified resources that did appear available and we have recommended that Humberside Police consider using all available resources during periods of high demand and also ensure the information on response officers' availability is accurate and up-to-date."
In a statement, Humberside Police said lessons had been learned from Mr Emerson's death.In a statement, Humberside Police said lessons had been learned from Mr Emerson's death.
The statement said: "A very detailed inquiry has been made into the circumstances of Sean's death and I accept that our response to this incident was not as good as it could have been.The statement said: "A very detailed inquiry has been made into the circumstances of Sean's death and I accept that our response to this incident was not as good as it could have been.
"This was because some members of our staff did not fully appreciate how vulnerable Sean was."This was because some members of our staff did not fully appreciate how vulnerable Sean was.
"They are extremely saddened by his death and the police response in no way related to a lack of concern on their part.""They are extremely saddened by his death and the police response in no way related to a lack of concern on their part."