Learning identified after ‘missed opportunity’ in search for missing man
There was a “missed opportunity” to locate a man who was found dead by officers six days after he was reported missing, an investigation has found.
John Winterton, 26, was reported missing on August 19, 2021. Following a high-profile search, he was found dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers in Wythenshawe Park on August 25.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation, which concluded in July 2022, found there was a “missed opportunity” that could have led to Mr Winterton being found sooner by officers.
“We found officers obtained Mr Winterton’s mobile phone data on August 19, which, once fully analysed, identified the approximate last known location of Mr Winterton’s phone,” said the IOPC.
“This was ultimately the same place he was eventually found by officers. However, a delay in accessing specialist support meant this information was not available to investigating officers until August 25.”
An inquest, which concluded this week at Manchester Coroner’s Court, found Mr Winterton died by suicide.
The IOPC investigation into GMP’s response to the missing person report followed a mandatory referral from the force.
“This included speaking to those involved and reviewing body-worn video footage,” said the IOPC. “We reviewed the steps taken by GMP to locate Mr Winterton, and whether these were appropriate and in line with national and local policies and guidance.”
The investigation identified areas of learning to improve the force’s response to missing person reports in the future.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “I would like to offer my condolences to Mr Winterton’s family and friends, as well as all those affected by his death.
“Our investigation was independent of the police and found officers were in possession of data on day one of the investigation that, had they analysed sooner, may have led to Mr Winterton being found more quickly.
“Although the inquest found this was unlikely to have changed the tragic outcome, it may have lessened the considerable distress felt by his family during this difficult time had the search been concluded sooner.
“The evidence did not indicate anyone serving with the police may have breached the standards of professional behaviour, but we did identify two areas of learning for GMP. Our recommendations were shared with the force to improve its response to missing person investigations in the future.
“We also shared our findings with Mr Winterton’s family, and with the Coroner to assist with the inquest.”
She said it has recommended that officers and staff be reminded of the investigative opportunities provided by phone data, as well as the resources available for analysing the data.
The IOPC has also recommended that GMP updates its policy for handling high-risk missing person investigations after it found there were delays in consulting and appointing a police search advisor in this case.
“Our statutory recommendation, and the force’s response to it, will be published in due course,” said the IOPC.