Police watchdog probes father death
Peter Woodhams had been stabbed before
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Thursday, 24, Aug 2006 05:14
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed today that it will investigate the circumstances behind the death of a 22-year-old father in east London.
Peter Woodhams was fatally shot in the Canning Town area on Monday, having confronted a group of youths outside his house.
It has since emerged that the TV engineer was stabbed in the neck in January of this year in the same area and his fiancee claims that the Metropolitan police did not investigate that incident thoroughly enough.
The Metropolitan Police Authority has asked for a report on the case and now the IPCC has also become involved.
IPCC commissioner David Petch said: "I express my sincere condolences to Mr Woodham's fiancee and family.
"There has been considerable public concern about this case and I therefore decided our own investigators should look at the police response to the stabbing incident in January. I should emphasise that we are not examining the current MPS investigation into the death of Mr Woodhams.
"It is vital that Mr Woodham's family, the police involved, and the public at large can have confidence that their concerns about the initial incident will be robustly investigated.
"The family have made no formal complaint. However, we will be offering to meet them to explain our role in this investigation and listen to any concerns they have."
Commander Rod Jarman of the Met had earlier admitted that an internal police investigation was needed.
"We will robustly deal with any failings in our investigation of the previous incident and make sure that those matters are dealt with," he said.
"I would also like to make my apologies for any hurt that that investigation may have caused the family."
Officers believe that Mr Woodhams, who lived in the area he was found in, may have been involved in an incident with the youths near shops at the corner of Freemasons Road and Coolfin Road, shortly before his death.
"At the time of this incident it is believed the victim was with his black Ford Focus, it is not known whether he was inside or outside his vehicle," said Detective Chief Inspector Ian Stevenson.
"Following this incident the victim dropped his vehicle off at his nearby home, he went inside the premises and shortly left again, but this time on foot. He was subsequently shot in Leslie Road."
Det Chf Ins Stevenson has appealed for anyone who may have seen Mr Woodhams or his vehicle, or who may have information regarding the shooting itself, to contact the incident room, which has been set up in Barking.
A 14-year-old male was arrested near to where the victim was found, police say, but has since been bailed pending further enquiries.