'Gross failings' in lead up to death of Tracy Shelvey in plunge from roof of Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre car park

Emergency services at the scene

Agencies including Rochdale Borough Council, Greater Manchester Police, social and health services were found to have shown “gross and significant failings” in the run-up to the death of Tracy Shelvey, who plunged from the roof of the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre car park in Rochdale town centre.

A three-week inquest, held at Oldham County Court, heard that Tracy, 41, from Heywood, fell from the roof of the Wheatsheaf car park on 3 February 2014 three days after she was told a man accused of raping her had been cleared.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/85203/investigation-launched-after-womans-death

Coroner Simon Nelson ruled the death an accident and said the failings had only "minimally" contributed.

Tracy, who was vulnerable and known to have drink and drug problems, was a complainant in a court case which concluded on Friday 31 January 2014 when the defendant, who was accused of rape, was acquitted.

That evening, two specially-trained officers from Greater Manchester Police, who had been providing regular support and advice to Tracy since she made the complaint, made a personal visit to her home to inform her of the verdict. She appeared angry and upset at the news.

Later that evening, Tracy called Greater Manchester Police in a distressed state and again officers, along with ambulance staff, made a personal visit to her home to speak to her. She was in a much calmer state when the officers attended, who again gave her advice and made a further referral to partner agencies helping to support her but did not make Tracy aware of any support plan for her.

Mr Nelson said: “Senior officers should have ensured that a bespoke plan was in place before the conclusion of the trial, which would take account of Ms Shelvey’s known vulnerabilities. This was a significant and gross failure.”

Tracy was later made the subject of a high-risk missing person inquiry but, when police and a paramedic visited her, she dismissed their concerns and was deemed not to be at risk.

Taking to the roof of the Wheatsheaf, in protest at the acquittal, she fell when a conduit on which her foot was resting gave way.

Tracy’s mother, Irene Shelvey, told the inquest she did not believe her daughter had intended to take her own life, adding: “She had it on her mind that maybe people didn’t believe her.”

Ten referrals to Rochdale Borough Council's adult care were generated from GMP's Public Protection Investigation Unit before 31 January, the response to which, Mr Nelson said, was "wholly inadequate".

Mr Nelson added: “I can’t recall a case which I have dealt with that has resulted in so many changes by so many agencies.”

Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts said: “Tracy Shelvey’s death was a tragedy and we continue to offer our sympathies and condolences to her family.

“Tracy’s death was a very sad and terrible end to a difficult investigation and one that deeply affected the officers, who had befriended her and supported her during what was a traumatic time.

"We accept the findings and the verdict of the coroner and we will be reviewing our victim support strategies and process of partner referrals.

“Breaking the news of an acquittal to any victim of crime is difficult and every victim reacts to the news differently so there is no universal way to do this. The officers told Tracy in a way they thought best, based on their professional judgement and knowledge of her.

“Since Tracy’s death, all officers investigating rape and sexual assaults have been issued with a document which guides them to ensure that the correct support and strategies are in place for victims. We will be reviewing this process in light of this inquest.

“It is important to remember that police officers are not mental health practitioners and a number of referrals were made to professionals who are trained in this area and better placed to make an assessment on what support is needed.

"I acknowledge that whilst 10 referrals were made to Rochdale Council's Adult Services, including a referral following Tracy being informed of the news of the acquittal, more could have been done by GMP to ensure that action was being taken.

"However, we will continue to work with our partners at Rochdale Council to ensure that the lessons learned from this tragic case have been acted on.

“Greater Manchester Police puts the welfare and needs of victims of sexual crime at the heart of everything we do and we appoint specially trained officers to help all victims through what we know is a very difficult and emotional process.

“We recognise the bravery of anybody who reports a sexual crime and has the courage to give evidence in court. It is vital that victims continue to make reports and have the confidence in the criminal justice system to prosecute offenders.”

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “My thoughts of course remain with Tracy Shelvey’s family throughout what has been an extremely difficult time and I commend their dignity throughout the coroner's hearing.

“Tracy was let down by public services which should have worked in a co-ordinated fashion to help her. We owe it to Tracy's memory and to her family to drive the changes which will prevent it happening again.

“I am working closely with police and other criminal justice agencies to remove the barriers and obstacles currently faced by vulnerable victims so that they know exactly who to turn to, what the processes are, and what support is available to them.”

Sheila Downey, Rochdale Borough Council’s Director of Adult Services, said: “The death of Tracy Shelvey was a tragedy and I offer my condolences to her family.

"At various times from 2001 the council and others provided Tracy with support through drug and alcohol, and housing services. Although we fully accept that we should have done more, we note that the coroner has said our failings did not contribute significantly towards Tracy’s death.

"Since February 2014 we have made a number of changes to our systems so that people in similar situations will get a greater level of support and follow-up when there are difficulties with a person engaging with the support services available.

"We will now look at the coroner’s conclusions carefully and make further changes if necessary.”

Paying tribute to her, Tracy's mother Irene said: “She was good-hearted, she would do anything for anyone and she was a really good mother. She loved her daughter more than anything. She tried to help people, she did have her problems and lots of people tried to help her.”