Police staff member returns to duty after deaths

The bodies of Bartlomiej Kuczynski and his daughters Jasmin and Natasha were discovered after police initially failed to attend following a call

A police civilian staff member who was suspended following the deaths of four people has returned to work.

The bodies of Bartlomiej Kuczynski, 45, Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36, Jasmin Kuczynska, 12, and Natasha Kuczynska, eight, were found at a house in Costessey, Norfolk, on 19 January last year.

Norfolk Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after it did not respond to an initial call made from the property in Alan Bedford Crescent. The watchdog issued a gross misconduct notice against the worker.

A spokesman for the force said the staff member, who has not been named, had been put on restricted duties and now works in a different role.

A post-mortem examination found all four were stabbed in the neck.

Mr Kuczynski's death was not treated as suspicious but the other three have been treated as murder.

Ms Sukpengpanao, the children's aunt, had been visiting from Thailand.

In a statement to the BBC, the force said it was co-operating with the watchdog and added: "As the IOPC is independently investigating this incident we cannot comment on specific details."

It continued: "Following review, the staff member has returned to work and is no longer suspended. They remain on restricted duties and are currently in a different role."

The role of the police civilian worker has not been disclosed.

Domestic violence

The IOPC inquiry into how Norfolk Police responded to the incident remains ongoing, however it is understood it is nearing completion.

A separate inquiry into Mr Kuczynski's contacts with mental health services is also under way.

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) confirmed it was being conducted externally by mental health care expert Prof Hilary McCallion.

NHS England is also overseeing what is known as a Joint Domestic Homicide Review arising from the incident.

This is an examination of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from domestic abuse.

At the time of the deaths, NSFT's chief executive Caroline Donovan said Mr Kuczynski had been "known to our services" and that he had discharged himself.

An initial internal investigation was carried out before Prof McCallion was brought in last February and she formally began work the following April.

It is unclear at what stage this review is at.

Norfolk Police confirmed it had received a call from Mr Kuczynski shortly before 06:00 GMT from inside the house on the day the bodies were discovered.

He told them that he was confused and worried about his mental state.

It is understood he was advised to seek medical advice and contact 111.

Following a call from a concerned member of the public, officers arrived about an hour later.