Rochdale abuse scandal: police refused search for suicidal victim

Rochdale abuse scandal: police refused search for suicidal victim

An inquest into the tragic death of Charlotte Tetley, a victim of the Rochdale child grooming gangs, revealed shocking details about the lack of police intervention before her suicide. Despite suffering significant sexual abuse at the hands of a child sex ring, Tetley’s cries for help went unheard. On the day of her death, she was struck by a train in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Six days prior, police had moved her away from railway tracks and taken her to Macclesfield Hospital, where she left before receiving a proper assessment.

Hospital staff had raised concerns about Tetley being a “high-risk” missing person, but police deemed her case unworthy of a search. Despite her history of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance misuse, and multiple previous suicide attempts, authorities failed to recognize the severity of the situation. The coroner’s court heard that when hospital staff requested police intervention, they were met with resistance due to Tetley not explicitly stating her intentions to end her life.

In a scathing report detailing the events leading to Tetley’s death, the coroner highlighted the urgent need for action to prevent future tragedies. Tetley’s complex mental health history and struggles with substance abuse as a result of her traumatic experiences were emphasized. The inquest raised concerns about the narrow interpretation of policies by the police when addressing high-risk missing persons, warning of potential dire consequences if immediate risks to life are not taken seriously. The tragedy of Tetley’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the failures in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation and harm

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More