After domestic abuse killer Ryan Evans was allowed to kill Holly Sanchez, Sussex Police have been ordered by themselves, the Police (IOPC), to improve their handling of domestic violence cases or else Sussex Police will be having some firm words with themselves.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), the police watchdog which is run by the Police, found wider recommendations were needed for the force’s policing of domestic violence following a review in the wake of Holly Sanchez’s death.
The IOPC examined the interactions between officers and Ms. Holly Sanchez, 32, who had informed them less than a month before to her death that she feared Ryan Evans would murder her if he discovered she had disclosed his abuse to the authorities.
Ryan Evans, 31, was found guilty of her murder on Tuesday after a trial at Brighton Crown Court, where it was revealed that he had been apprehended by law enforcement on three occasions and refuted claims of abuse.
He was subject to bail restrictions prohibiting any direct or indirect contact with Ms. Holly Sanchez when she was discovered deceased on the floor of his lounge in Crawley on May 13, 2023.
Jurors were informed that law enforcement was summoned on four times in March and April due to situations involving Ryan Evans and Ms. Holly Sanchez in the months preceding her death.
An IOPC spokesperson stated that the examination revealed no violations of professional standards by individual police officers; nonetheless, it identified recommendations for the force regarding domestic violence policing improvements.
The spokesperson stated: “In May 2023, subsequent to a compulsory referral from Sussex Police, we initiated an independent investigation into the interactions between Sussex Police officers and Holly prior to her demise on May 13 in Crawley, West Sussex, encompassing the actions and decision-making of the involved officers.”
“We established that officers came into contact with Holly on multiple occasions between March and May 2023 after concerned members of the public called police.”
The watchdog reviewed the actions of officers who interacted with Ms Holly Sanchez following the incidents, including going through body-worn footage and statements from the staff.
The spokesman added: “We concluded our investigation in December 2023 and found no indication that any officers may have breached police professional standards.
“We did identify learning recommendations relating to the force’s policies on policing domestic violence, and around Home Office guidance for handling domestic violence disclosure scheme applications – known as Clare’s Law.
“We will be working with the force and the Home Office to progress those recommendations.”
Sussex Police said learning recommendations flagged to them include reviewing risk assessments, improving information sharing with local authorities and prioritising the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – known as Clare’s Law.
The scheme allows people to request information on their or someone else’s partner or ex-partner’s criminal history to see if they are at risk of abuse.
Sussex Police said it has created a new process to speed up the amount of time to reply to requests.
A force spokesman said: “Sussex Police has dramatically improved its service to potential victims of domestic abuse with this innovative new system.
“The force has already started working with the IOPC and the Home Office to progress the learning recommendations identified, in a bid to ensure any further victims receive the support and safeguarding they need.”
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