South Yorkshire Police failures highlighted after teenage girl killed herself

Emily Greene, aged 14, was found hanging in fields in Shafton, Barnsley, in November 2018.

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An inquest into the death of the Outwood Academy student heard that prior to her death, Emily made an allegation to South Yorkshire Police that she had been sexually assaulted.

‘Failings’ in the investigation, supervision and management of the investigation were highlighted at the inquest, with Emily said to have felt ‘let down’ by South Yorkshire Police.

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Her mental health is said to have been ‘directly impacted’.

Force failings were also highlighted when Emily was reported missing, with the handling of the call leading to a ‘significant delay’ in the police response.

Coroner David Urpeth said: “The evidence was that Emily took her own life with the intention of so doing.

“Prior to her death, Emily had made an allegation of sexual assault which was investigated by South Yorkshire police.

“The evidence was that there were failings both in the investigation as well as in the supervision and management of it.

“The evidence was that these failures lead to Emily feeling let down by the police and this directly impacted her mental health.

“When Emily was reported missing to South Yorkshire Police on the November 16, 2018, there were failures in their handling of the call, leading to significant delay.

“Whilst it is not possible to say, had there not been significant failures by South Yorkshire Police, the outcome would definitely have been different, the sad fact is that Emily was deprived of the chance of it so being.”

South Yorkshire Police said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain focused on Emily’s family today.

“We have listened to all of the information set out in the inquest and fully accept the findings of the coroner.

“The coroner has made a number of recommendations for the force based on the way which it operated when Emily reported a sexual offence in 2017.

“We will be providing a full update to the coroner, detailing our current position and demonstrating the significant progress made since that time.”

Contact The Samaritans on 116 123.

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