Northumbria Police told to investigate response to 999 call before murdered Laura Robson was found
Northumbria Police has carried out an internal investigation into its response to a 999 call made before murdered mum Laura Robson was found.
The force referred itself to the police watchdog after the 37-year-old was died in July. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the referral was made in relation to the police response time after the force received a "concern for welfare" report. The Chronicle understands this related to a 999 call made before Laura was found seriously injured in Greenside, Gateshead.
The IOPC determined an investigation was needed to establish whether the tragedy could have been prevented, had police arrived at the scene sooner. And the watchdog instructed Northumbria Police to carry out its own probe into what happened.
The force today confirmed it has completed its investigation and sent a report to the IOPC to be reviewed.
An IOPC spokesman said: "The murder of Laura Robson was a tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, as well as all those affected. Following her death, we received a referral from Northumbria Police regarding the police response to a concern for welfare report July 22
"We determined an investigation was required into whether police could have arrived at the scene sooner and to consider whether this may have prevented the outcome. In light of evidence of some positive action taken by police, and as the time of death was unclear at the time of referral, we determined IOPC involvement was not required and instructed the force to carry out the investigation."
And a spokesman for Northumbria Police added: “Our thoughts very much continue to be with the loved ones of Laura Robson following her tragic death. We can confirm a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is mandatory given the circumstances surrounding the case. They determined we should carry out our own investigation, which is now complete and the final report has been sent to them for review.”
Mum-of-three Laura was found seriously injured after emergency services were called to a property on Appledore Close, in Greenside, at around 10.20pm on July 22. She was pronounced dead soon after.
Ben Hughes, 38, of Appledore Close, pleaded guilty to murdering the mum-of-three at Newcastle Crown Court last week.
Recorder Paul Sloan said there was only one sentence for murder and that is life imprisonment. Recorder Sloan told the defendant he would need to consider the minimum time he must spend in custody before being considered for release. Hughes was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until January 10 for sentencing.
Laura's mum Jill Evans has paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as a "shining light" and a "very kind lass". She said: "Words can’t describe how we, as a family, feel on the passing of our 'Laura' or 'Lauz' as we lovingly called her."
Family friend Simone Mordue set-up a page on the online fundraising site GoFundMe to raise money to support Laura's children.
She said: "Laura Robson was a bright and bubbly young woman whose smile would light up every room, she had a heart of gold and would go that extra mile for any one she was close to. She doted on her three children."