WMP accepts findings of Daniel Pelka case review

West Midlands Police (WMP) has pledged to improve the way it works with other agencies after a case review into the murder of a four-year-old boy in Coventry pointed to failings.

Daniel Pelka died at home in March 2012 after suffering sustained abuse from his mother, 27-year-old Magdelena Luczak, and her 34-year-old partner, Mariusz Krizolek. Both were convicted of murder in Birmingham Crown Court in July and the case has prompted calls to change child abuse reporting procedures.

A serious case review found WMP officers were called to the house 26 times for domestic and alcohol abuse incidents, but not enough information was shared with other agencies and “too many opportunities were missed”.

The review made six specific recommendations for WMP, including for the force to review its screening procedures, implement standardised intelligence checks and ensure all children present during domestic violence incidents are subject to appropriate checks.

Ron Lock, author of the review, recognised the difficulties involved in the case, but recommended WMP work more closely with the local safeguarding children board, local councils and other agencies to prevent similar tragedies occurring.

“No one professional, with what they knew of Daniel’s circumstances, suspected or could have predicted that he would be killed,” he said.

“This was a complex and tragic case. Daniel’s mother seemed plausible in her concerns about him, Daniel’s siblings appeared well cared for and no concerns were expressed by neighbours or the wider community.

“Strong concerns nevertheless emerged about Daniel’s circumstances and his care, although at no point were practitioners who had contact with him prepared to think the unthinkable and consider that he might be suffering abuse. But if professionals had used more inquiring minds and been more focused in their intentions to address concerns, it’s likely that Daniel would have been better protected from the people who killed him.”

Garry Forsyth, assistant chief constable at WMP, accepted the findings, adding the force was already working on implementing new systems to improve information-sharing and communication across different agencies.

He pointed to the major investigation by the force that led to the convictions for Daniel’s murder as a sign of its determined approach to such incidents, as well as overall praise from Mr Lock for its responses to domestic violence incidents, adding it had been “actively contributing” to reviews of the case to ensure improvements are made.

“While no one could have predicted Daniel’s death, there were opportunities for those involved in delivering services to children in Coventry to protect him from the people who ultimately killed him,” he said.

“The report highlights missed opportunities by agencies that had contact with Daniel and his family while living in the Coventry area. In respect of those recommendations relevant to us, the force has already put in place a number of improvements to support the safeguarding of children, including improved sharing of information with our partners.

“We accept that Daniel was not ‘given a voice’ and that as a collective group all agencies should always have direct and independent engagement with a child when domestic abuse is reported. Domestic abuse is always a child protection issue.

“Since Daniel’s death, officers have been given further guidance on being more child-focused when called to incidents of domestic abuse. It is our responsibility to ensure that the children are safe and well both physically and emotionally and not accept the word of a parent if they claim a child is not affected by domestic abuse.”

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said a “culture change from process-driven box-ticking to child-aware curiosity” was needed to ensure such incidents would be prevented in future.

“Sadly there are no quick fixes that will stop this happening again,” he said. “Professionals must act on their instincts when the