Scatchard: Police referral to watchdog over search

Richard Scatchard is thought to be a danger to the public

A police force has referred itself to its watchdog over the search for a sex offender.

Avon and Somerset Police are searching for Richard Scatchard, 70, after his partner Kelly Faiers was found dead at his Minehead home on 15 October.

Officers have been unable to find him despite more than 80 sightings.

The force have now referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct after a formal complaint made by Ms Faiers family over its response.

The force previously said it would not be referring itself to the watchdog after an initial assessment of its response considered it not "to be of misconduct level and/or requiring an IOPC referral".

Richard Scatchard was initially treated as a missing person

Police said Scatchard, who is considered a risk to the public, specifically those he forms relationships with, disappeared the day after the suspected murder of Ms Faiers, 61, from Weston-super-Mare, who was found dead at his home.

The force said Mr Scatchard is a regular user of dating apps and has previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to his victims to enable his crimes.

Avon and Somerset Police did not tell the public that Scatchard was a convicted sex offender, when the force made an initial appeal over his disappearance.

The force, who is being supported by the National Crime Agency, said it continues to conduct searches to find Scatchard, who is wanted on a prison recall and who they wish to speak to in connection with Ms Faiers death.

Kelly Faiers, who was in a relationship with Richard Scatchard, was found dead at his home in Blenheim Road on 15 October

"We have made a number of public appeals and a Crimestoppers reward remains live for information that could lead to his arrest. We urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact us," it said.

Following the complaint by Ms Faiers family, Avon and Somerset Police said: "Our Professional Standards Department was made aware of the incident and our response at an early stage and we will assist the IOPC in any way we can in relation to the complaint received."

Police are urging anyone who sees Scatchard not approach him and to instead dial 999.