Latest news with #NickProsser
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
West Mercia Police apologise over vulnerable man held in custody
Police have apologised after failing to provide a vulnerable man with an appropriate adult while he was in Prosser, who has special needs, was arrested last November on suspicion of common assault and spent a night at Worcester Police sister Susan Tustin said she should have been notified as his next-of-kin, but was not told her brother had been detained until the next she made a formal complaint, West Mercia Police apologised, and a spokesman for the force said: "The investigation following the formal complaint has concluded and found that the service provided by West Mercia Police was not acceptable." Mrs Tustin said her brother was "shaking" when he was brought to her house in Strensham by officers the next appropriate adult would have safeguarded Mr Prosser's interests during interactions with police. A letter from the force to Mrs Tustin, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, said: "Regrettably, this safeguard was not implemented."Furthermore, the rationale for proceeding without an appropriate adult was not clearly documented on the custody record." 'Clearly vulnerable' Officers on duty should have ensured an appropriate adult was present, the letter said: "It is concerning that this need was not identified or reinforced by the interviewing officer, reviewing officer or Mr Prosser's solicitor."This oversight is difficult to account for and does not align with the standards expected."Police said it would not be feasible to review custody suite CCTV and "such footage may no longer be available".They added: "The core issue remains, Mr Prosser should have been provided with an appropriate adult, this did not occur, and no-one can account for why this didn't happen." The letter continued: "I acknowledge that not knowing fully how this mistake has occurred will be frustrating and disappointing, however on behalf of West Mercia I apologise for any distress this incident has caused Nicholas, as he was clearly vulnerable and required support."There was no indication a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a way justifying disciplinary proceedings, it said officers and staff had received training and oversight had been reinforced. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Strensham man with special needs 'detained without support'
A 66-year-old man with special needs spent 24 hours in police custody with no appropriate adult, his sister has Prosser, from Strensham, Worcestershire, was arrested in November after "lashing out after being provoked" and was taken to Worcester police station by his sister and next of kin, Susan Tustin, said next of kin should have been notified and she wasn't informed her brother had been detained until the next Mercia Police said it had received a formal complaint and was investigating. Mrs Tustin said her brother, who lives with her, cannot read, write or make a phone call and that anyone who met him would know he needed an appropriate said what her brother experienced was "horrific" and his next of kin should have been notified after his arrest."Nick was arrested on the Friday after lashing out after being provoked," she said, "But I got a call at 4pm on the Saturday saying 'can we bail him to you?'"He should have been charged and released to me straight away. He had no appropriate adult. The police said an NHS worker assessed him and decided he didn't need one."Appropriate adults are trained to support children and vulnerable adults within the justice system, safeguarding their Tustin said Mr Prosser, who had recently retired, was "shaking" when he was dropped off at her house after spending a night in a pair attended a court hearing in January and Mr Prosser was later informed the case had been dropped."The letter telling us it had been thrown out arrived a few days later," Mrs Tustin added. "It had been sent to the wrong place. "He's worked all his life and has never been in any sort of trouble before," she said of her brother.A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We can confirm we have received a formal complaint on this matter, and it is being investigated." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
