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Police watchdog will not probe Met over search for nursing student

The Independent Office for Police Conduct say Met’s death or serious injury referral is ‘invalid’ after nursing student Owami Davies found safe and well

Photo of nursing student Owami Davies
Owami Davies Picture: Shutterstock

The police watchdog will take no further action over a referral from the Metropolitan Police regarding its investigation after nursing student Owami Davies went missing.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said it will not launch an investigation, after it emerged that Met police officers had contact with Ms Davies the night she was reported missing by her family, 6 July.

Death or serious injury referral deemed ‘invalid’ after Owami Davies found safe and well

At the time of the referral there were concerns for the safety of the university student, and five men had previously been arrested in connection with her disappearance – two on suspicion of murder and three of suspected kidnap.

The IPOC said it would not be proceeding with the complaint as Ms Davies had been found safe and well in Hampshire on Tuesday.

A spokesperson said: ‘On 5 August we received a mandatory death or serious injury (DSI) referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), in relation to contact MPS officers had with Owami Davies on 6 July after she was reported missing.

‘The DSI referral was made after the force announced it had made arrests on suspicion of her murder. Given that Owami Davies has now been found safe and we have not received information from the force that Ms Davies has suffered any serious injuries, the referral not does not meet the criteria for a DSI referral.

‘We have advised the Met that it is invalid and therefore we will be taking no further action.’

Met Police will conduct its own investigation

Regardless of the decision, the Met said that it would be reviewing its investigation into the seven-week disappearance of Ms Davies, alongside Essex police.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for King’s College London, where Ms Davies is studying in her final year, said the college was delighted that she had been found safe.

A statement from the college on Tuesday added: ‘We know what a relief this will be for Owami’s family and friends, and the King’s community. We know this has been a very difficult time and our support services continue to be available for students and staff to meet different needs.’


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