THE BICHARD INQUIRY

1
THE BICHARD INQUIRYFINAL REPORT
BICHARD 1
Stephen M Rose CRB ManagerStrategic
HR - Lincolnshire County Council
2
BACKGROUND - IAN HUNTLEY
BICHARD 2

• KNOWN TO POLICE SOCIAL SERVICES BETWEEN
  AUGUST 1995 JULY 1999- 11 SEPARATE
  ALLEGATIONS- 9 WERE SEXUAL OFFENCES- MAY 1999
  CHANGED NAME TO IAN NIXON DAY AFTER RAPE
  ALLEGATION

3
BACKGROUND - SOHAM COLLEGE
BICHARD 3
- ERRORS IN RECRUITMENT PROCESS- INADEQUATE
CHECKS BY EXTERNAL PERSONNEL PROVIDER
4
BICHARD 4

• NOV 2001 HUNTLEY COMMENCED EMPLOYMENT PRIOR
  TO CLEARANCE OF CHECKS ( note this was prior
  
  
  to CRB)- LIVED WITH
  MAXINE CARR IN ON SITE ACCOMMODATION- MAY
  2002 CHANGED NAME BACK TO HUNTLEY- AUGUST 2002
  JESSICA CHAPMAN HOLLY WELLS WERE MURDERED

5
BICHARD 5

• FOLLOWING HUNTLEYS CONVICTION WIDESPREAD
  PUBLIC DISQUIET- HOME SECRETARY REQUESTED SIR
  MICHAEL BICHARD TO LEAD AN INQUIRY JANUARY
  2004- THE BICHARD REPORT SUBSEQUENTLY
  PROVIDED TO HOME SECRETARY 14TH JUNE 2004

6
BICHARD 6
Huntley alone was responsible for, and stands
convicted of, these most awful murders. None of
the actions or failures of any of the witnesses
who gave evidence to the Inquiry, or the
institutions they represented, led to the deaths
of the girls
7
BICHARD 7

• BICHARD INQUIRY REPORTTo Home Secretary 14th
  June 2004BICHARD INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONSProgres
  s Report by Home Office 22nd December
  2004BICHARD INQUIRY FINAL REPORT15th March
  2005

8
RECOMMENDATIONSand thePROGRESS SO FAR
BICHARD 8
9
RECOMMENDATION 1
BICHARD 9
A NATIONAL IT INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM FOR ENGLAND
WALES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHEDPROGRESSA
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO
IMPLEMENT IMPACT-INTELLIGENCE MANAGEMENT
PRIORITISATION ANALYSIS CO-ORDINATION AND TASKING
10
RECOMMENDATION 2
BICHARD 10
THE PLX TO BE INTRODUCED BY 2005PROGRESSPLX
(I) SET UP IN FEBRUARY 2005FULL PLX AVAILABLE
DECEMBER 2005OVERLAP WITH THE IMPACT SYSTEM
11
RECOMMENDATION 3
BICHARD 11
PROCUREMENT OF POLICE IT SYSTEMS TO BE REVIEWED
SO THAT, WHERE POSSIBLE, NATIONAL SOLUTIONS ARE
DELIVERED FOR NATIONAL PROBLEMS
PROGRESSTHE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PITO
(POLICE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION) HAS
BEEN FINALISED AND SENT TO MINISTERS. IT WILL BE
MADE PUBLIC AND MINISTERS WILL DECIDE ON THE NEED
FOR ANY FURTHER ACTION TO DELIVER THIS
RECOMMENDATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE REVIEW. I AM
CONTENT THAT THIS FULFILS THE RECOMMENDATION I
MADE.
12
RECOMMENDATION 4
BICHARD 12
INVESTMENT IN THE PNC TO BE PROTECTED
PROGRESSTHIS, OF COURSE, IS LINKED TO
RECOMMENDATION 1, AND I NOTE (3.1) THAT A
COMPREHENSIVE UPDATING AND STRENGTHENING OF THE
CENTRAL INFORMATION SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED
BY THE PNC IS BEING DELIVERED THROUGH IMPACT. I
AM CONTENT WITH THIS.
13
RECOMMENDATION 5 6
BICHARD 13
IMPLEMENTATION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE ON DATA
INPUTTING FOR THE PNC AND THE ROUTINE INSPECTION
BY HER MAJESTYS INSPECTORATE OF CONSTABULARY
(HMIC)
PROGRESSNEW CODE CAME INTO FORCE ON 1ST JANUARY
2005 AND HMIC WILL ASSESS PERFORMANCE AGAINST
THAT CODE
14
RECOMMENDATION 7
BICHARD 13 (A)
THE DEADLINE OF 2006 FOR TRANSFER OF COURT
RESULTS INFORMATION ON TO THE PNC SHOULD, AT
WORST BE MET.
PROGRESSDIFFERENT ISSUES ARISE FOR MAGISTRATES
CROWN COURTS. DECEMBER 2005 IS THE TARGET FOR
MAGISTRATES COURTS AND DECEMBER 2006 FOR CROWN
COURT RESULTS.BICHARD RECOMMENDS THAT THIS ISSUE
IS KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
15
RECOMMENDATION 8 TO 11
BICHARD 14
A CODE OF PRACTICE SHOULD BE PRODUCED COVERING
RECORD CREATION, REVIEW, RETENTION, DELETION AND
INFORMATION SHARING (8), SETTING OUT THE KEY
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (9)
WITH STANDARDS FOR SYSTEMS, ACCOUNTABILITY,
TRAINING, RESOURCES AND AUDIT (10). THE CODE
SHOULD HAVE PARTICULAR REGARD TO CASES INVOLVING
(ALLEGED) SEXUAL OFFENCES (11)
16
RECOMMENDATION 8 TO 11 - PROGRESS
BICHARD 15
CODE OF PRACTICE FINALISED IN MARCH 2005, BROUGHT
INTO FORCE IN MAY 2005. THERE ARE 5 KEY GUIDANCE
PRODUCTS- - AN INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT - A GUIDE TO RECORDING AND
DISSEMINATION - GUIDE TO REVIEW AND
RETENTION - A GUIDE TO INFORMATION SHARING
- A GUIDE TO DISCLOSURE TO THE CRB
17
RECOMMENDATION 12
BICHARD 16
THE GOVERNMENT TO REAFFIRM GUIDANCE ON
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE POLICE SHOULD BE
NOTIFIED WHEN AN OFFENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED OR IS
SUSPECTED AGAINST A CHILD
THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
18
RECOMMENDATION 13
BICHARD 17
NATIONAL GUIDANCE SHOULD BE PRODUCED TO INFORM
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO INFORM THE POLICE
OF OFFENCES COMMITTED OR SUSPECTED OF HAVING BEEN
COMMITTED AGAINST A CHILD
PROGRESSNEW GUIDANCE WILL BE DEVELOPED UNDER
THE CHILDREN ACT 2004. THE ACT LAYS A DUTY ON
VARIOUS DISCIPLINES TO COOPERATE FOR THE BEST
PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
19
RECOMMENDATION 14
BICHARD 18
RECORDING OF CASES WHERE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN NOT
TO REFER TO POLICE
THE INTEGRATED CHILDRENS SYSTEM (ICS) SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO ENSURE THAT A
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DECISION TO REFER TO THE
POLICE WILL BE RECORDED AND, ADDITIONALLY, THAT
THE SYSTEM WILL BE SEARCHABLE BY THE NAMES OF
ADULTS TO HELP IDENTIFY POTENTIAL ABUSERS. THE
SYSTEM IS DUE FOR ROLL-OUT BY EARLY 2006. I AM
DELIGHTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

20
RECOMMENDATION 15
BICHARD 19
DECISIONS NOT TO INFORM THE POLICE SHOULD BE
REVIEWED AS PART OF INSPECTIONS BY THE COMMISSION
FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION (CSCI)
THE CSCI INSPECTS POLICY AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR
REPORTING ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST
CHILDREN. THESE CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED ON 1ST
NOVEMBER 2004 AND BICHARD IS PLEASED WITH
PROGRESS MADE
21
RECOMMENDATION 16
BICHARD 20
HEADTEACHERS AND SCHOOL GOVERNORS TO RECEIVE
TRAINING ON HOW TO ENSURE THAT INTERVIEWS TO
APPOINT STAFF REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
PROGRESSON LINE TRAINING PACKAGE TO BE ROLLED
OUT FROM APRIL 2005. I WOULD BE CONCERNED IF A
LACK OF RESOURCES PREVENTED THE DELIVERY OF
NECESSARY TRAINING. BICHARD RECOMMENDS THAT
MINISTERS ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF RESOURCES.
22
RECOMMENDATION 17
BICHARD 21
FROM A DATE TO BE AGRED, NO INTERVIEW PANEL TO
APPOINT STAFF WORKING IN SCHOOLS SHOULD BE
CONVENED WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER BEING
PROPERLY TRAINED
PROGRESSTHE DATE NOW AGREED IS MARCH 2006 WHICH
BICHARD REGARDS AS REASONABLE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
23
RECOMMENDATION 18
BICHARD 22
THE RELEVANT INSPECTION BODIES SHOULD, AS PART
OF THEIR INSEPCTION, REVIEW THE EXISTENCE AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF A SCHOOLS SELECTION AND
RECRUITMENT ARRANGEMENTS
PROGRESSOFSTED HAS AGREED THAT SCHOOL
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCEDURES WILL BE
INCLUDED IN SCHOOLS SELF-EVALUATION FOR
INSPECTIONS STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 2005.
24
RECOMMENDATION 19
BICHARD 23
NEW ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED REQUIRING
THOSE WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN, OR VULNERABLE
ADULTS, TO BE REGISTERED
25
RECOMMENDATION 19 - PROGRESS
BICHARD 24
- BICHARD SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH A REGISTRATION
SCHEME FOR ALL THOSE WISHING TO WORK WITH
CHILDREN OR VULNERABLE ADULTS.- HOME OFFICE
PROPOSE A CENTRAL BODY AGENCY LINKED TO A
BARRED LIST- THE BARRING SCHEME
REPRESENTS THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGE FROM
MY RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROPOSALS WILL
REQUIRE EFFECT PROJECT MANAGEMENT TO BE
IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY.
26
RECOMMENDATION 20
BICHARD 25
HMIC WITH ACPO AND THE CRB TO DEVELOP STANDARDS
TO BE OBSERVED BY FORCES IN CARRYING OUT VETTING
CHECKS
PROGRESS- ACPO CRB WORKING ON QAF (QUALITY
ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK)- TRAINING IN FORCES TO
BE UNDERTAKEN MAY-OCT 2005
27
RECOMMENDATION 21
BICHARD 26
ALL POSTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN SCHOOLS, THAT
INVOLVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE
ADULTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE ENHANCED
DISCLOSURE REGIME
PROGRESS- NEW REGULATIONS TO BE INTRODUCED-
DEFINITION OF WORKING WITH CHILDREN-
RESPONSIBILITIES OF REGISTERED BODIES
28
RECOMMENDATION 22
BICHARD 27
THE NEED TO CLARIFY RBS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
CHECKING IDENTITIES
PROGRESS- NEW GUIDANCE TO BE ISSUED TO RBS
29
RECOMMENDATION 23
BICHARD 28
RBs OR THE CRB SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHECK
PASSPORTS AND DRIVING LICENCES PRESENTED AS PROOF
OF IDENTITY AGAINST THE PASSPORT SERVICE AND
DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSING AGENCY DATABASES
30
RECOMMENDATION 24
BICHARD 29
THERE SHOULD BE AN EXPECTATION THAT DOCUMENTS
PRODUCED TO CONFIRM IDENTITY SHOULD, WHEREVER
POSSIBLE, INCLUDE A PHOTOGRAPH
PROGRESS- TO BE INCLUDED IN REVISED GUIDANCE
ISSUED FEB 2005
31
RECOMMENDATION 25
BICHARD 30
FINGERPRINTS SHOULD BE USED AS A MEANS OF
VERIFYING IDENTITY
PROGRESS- RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION LARGELY
NEGATIVE- ONLY POLICE FORCES CURRENTLY HAVE THE
INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNDERTAKE THIS
32
RECOMMENDATION 26
BICHARD 31
GUIDANCE SHOULD BE ISSUED TO RBS ON HOW TO
VERIFY THAT APPLICANTS HAVE GIVEN A FULL AND
ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THEIR CURRENT AND PAST
ADDRESSES
PROGRESS- TO BE ISSUED IN LINE WITH
RECOMMENDATION 24 IN FEBRUARY 2005
33
RECOMMENDATION 27
BICHARD 32
RBS SHOULD BE REQURIED TO CONFIRM THAT THEY HAVE
CHECKED THE INFORMATION ON THE POLICE CHECK
FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH CRB GUIDANCE
PROGRESS- GUIDANCE TO BE ISSUED FEBRUARY
2005?- NEW DISCLOSURE APPLICATION FORM TO BE
USED MARCH 2005
34
RECOMMENDATION 28
BICHARD 33
THE CONSENTS THAT APPLICANTS CURRENTLY GIVE ON
THE POLICE CHECK FORM SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY
BROAD TO ENABLE REQUISITE CHECKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN
PROGRESS- LEGAL ADVICE IS THAT EXISTING CONSENT
COVERS CURRENT PROCESSES AND THAT NO
ADDITION IS REQUIRED.
35
RECOMMENDATION 29
BICHARD 34
INCOMPLETE OR WITHDRAWN APPLICATIONS SHOULD IN
FUTURE BE RETURNED TO THE RB AND NOT THE
APPLICANT
36
RECOMMENDATION 30
BICHARD 35
PROPOSALS SHOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE TO IMPROVE THE CHECKING OF PEOPLE FROM
OVERSEAS WHO WANT TO WORK WITH CHILDREN
PROGRESS- CRB HAS LINKS WITH 20 COUNTRIES. -
OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT IS HOWEVER THE GREATEST
POTENTIAL WEAKNESS
37
RECOMMENDATION 31
BICHARD 36
AS A PRIORITY, LEGISLATION SHOULD BE BROUGHT
FORWARD TO ENABLE THE CRB TO ACCESS THE FOLLOWING
DATABASES FOR VETTING PURPOSES HER MAJESTYS
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL
INTELLIGENCE SERVICE, THE NATIONAL CRIME SQUAD,
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE AND THE SCOTTISH AND
NORTHERN IRELAND EQUIVALENTS OF THE PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN ACT AND PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULT
LISTS
38
RECOMMENDATION 31
BICHARD 37
PROGRESSRECOMMENDATION DELIVERED
COMPREHENSIVELY THROUGH THE SOC POLICE BILL AND
WILL EXTEND TO SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN
IRELAND.ABOVE TO INCLUDE RECORDS FROM MILITARY
SERVICES.
39
FINAL REPORTSUMMARY OF BICHARDS LATEST
RECOMMENDATIONS
BICHARD 38
40
BICHARD 39
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU REPORT PUBLICLY THE
PROGRESS MADE ON MY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE
NEXT 12 MONTHS. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL ABLE
TO PUBLISH A REPORT UPDATING PARLIAMENT AND THE
PUBLIC IN SIX MONTHS AND AGAIN IN 12 MONTHSI
RECOMMEND THAT THE PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO
DELIVER MY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MAINTAINED FOR AT
LEAST THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. THE IMPACT
PROGRAMME IS, BY ANY MEASURE, A MAJOR SCHEME
REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND WITH COMPLEX
INTERDEPENDENCIES. I RECOMMEND THAT YOU MONITOR
VERY CLOSELY THE PROGRESS MADE WITH PERSONAL
INTERVENTION WHERE REQUIRED.I RECOMMEND THAT
SUSTAINED ATTENTION IS PAID TO POLICE FORCE
PERFORMANCE IN ENTERING DATA ON THE PNC.
41
BICHARD 40
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE
ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGETS FOR THE IMPROVED HANDLING
OF DATA ENTRY ON COURT RESULTS.I RECOMMEND
THAT OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO
THE REQUIREMENT THAT GUIDANCE ON INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE AUTHORITATIVE, COMPREHENSIVE
AND CONCISE.I CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THE ISSUE
OF IMPROVED GUIDANCE ON THE HANDLING OF
ALLEGATIONS OF SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG
PEOPLE IN LINE WITH MY ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION
13.I RECOMMEND THAT MINISTERS ADDRESS THE
ISSUE OF RESOURCES TO ENABLE THE DELIVERY OF
NECESSARY TRAINING BEYOND THE EDUCATION SECTOR ON
INTERVIEWS AND SELECTION.
42
BICHARD 41
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU PRESS FOR CLARITY ON THE
FUNDING OF POLICE FORCE EXPENDITURE RELATED TO
THE INTRODUCTION OF ENHANCED VETTING
PROCEDURES.I RECOMMEND THAT YOU ENGAGE NOW IN
DISCUSSIONS THAT SEEK TO ACHIEVE THE EXCHANGE OF
INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN COUNTRIES FOR THE PURPOSES
OF EMPLOYMENT VETTING. I ALSO RECOMMEND THAT YOU
URGENTLY REVIEW THE NATURE OF EXISTING GUIDANCE
TO EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE

• CLARITY ON THE LIMITED COMFORT THEY CAN TAKE
  FROM DATA SUBJECT COVICTION INFORMATION
  AND-CONSISTENCY OF PRACTICE ACROSS WORK
  SECTORS.

43
BICHARD 42
I VERY MUCH SUPPORT ACTION TO GIVE THE MILITARY
POLICE ACCESS TO VISOR AND RECOMMEND THAT IT IS
PURSUED URGENTLY.I RECOMMEND THAT COMMITMENTS
MADE BY SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND WALES,
INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT COMMON PROTECTIONS FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHER VULNERABLE PERSONS APPLY
ACROSS THE UK, ARE BUILT INTO THE MILESTONES FOR
ACHIEVEMENT THAT FEATURE IN THE PROGRESS
REPORT.SIR MICHAEL BICHARDMARCH 2005