Prior police contact with attacked woman investigated

A police force's previous contact with a woman days before she was seriously injured in an attack is being investigated by the police watchdog.

The 69-year-old woman was injured at a property in Highworth, near Swindon, Wiltshire, on 4 August, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

Wiltshire Police referred itself to the watchdog a day later due to previous contact with the victim. The IOPC, said: "Having assessed all available evidence, we have decided it is appropriate for us to independently investigate."

Gary Rogers, 70, of Highworth, has been charged with attempted murder and is due to appear before Swindon Crown Court next month.

According to the police watchdog, Wiltshire Police officers went to an address on 15 July after receiving a "concern for welfare" call.

The force said it was called again on 2 August, following reports that a man visiting the address had been assaulted.

The IOPC said it would be investigating the force's response to the incidents as well as the "actions and decision-making" of officers and staff involved.

Derrick Campbell, an IOPC director, said the investigation would also consider if there were "opportunities to potentially have safeguarded the woman and prevent her coming to harm".

"Having established at least two recent occasions where there had been direct contact between police and the victim, we deemed it was right to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances and the police response."

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