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Police Failed Man Begging for Help
9 May
Summary
- Dorset Police failed to grade a man as high risk despite his pleas.
- A jury found missed opportunities and delayed responses by police.
- The man could have been saved if authorities had traced his phone.
A young man was "failed at every turn" by authorities despite numerous attempts to seek help in the weeks before his death. The 29-year-old made three hospital visits, including one after a suicide attempt, and sent his wife a disturbing photo hinting at suicidal thoughts. Although a 999 call handler identified him as "high risk," Dorset Police did not assign this classification, meaning his phone data could not be used for tracing.
A jury at Bournemouth Coroners' Court returned a narrative verdict, citing missed opportunities and a failure to adequately assess risk as contributing factors to his death. They also highlighted "insufficient and delayed responses" from Dorset Police. His mother stated that immediate phone tracing could have saved his life, emphasizing his desperate cries for help were not adequately addressed.
Further details revealed that the man had been arrested on suspicion of aggressive behavior after an estranged wife's claim, though he was later cleared of charges. One police chief reportedly dismissed his threats to take his life as being "suicidal for sympathy," a comment his mother found deeply distressing. The hospital also failed to admit him on January 25, 2024, despite a mental health nurse contacting police due to his risk of self-harm.
