Nikki Allan: Northumbria Police investigated over girl's murder inquiry

Nikki Allan was lured to a derelict building where she was murdered

Northumbria Police is being investigated over its handling of the murder of a seven-year-old girl, which remained unsolved for 31 years.

David Boyd was jailed in May after luring Nikki Allan to a derelict building in Sunderland in 1992 where he beat her and stabbed her 37 times.

The force apologised to her family and a man falsely accused of her death.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would examine the actions of officers involved.

Nikki disappeared on the night of 7 October 1992, and her battered and blood-stained body was found in the basement of the nearby derelict Old Exchange building the following morning.

She had been stabbed dozens of times and smashed on the head with a brick.

• Police sorry for family's 31-year wait for justice

Local man George Heron fell under police scrutiny, confessing to the crime after three days of questioning.

But that confession was ruled inadmissible in court due to harsh interrogation tactics and Mr Heron was acquitted of Nikki's murder, granted a new identity, and relocated from Sunderland.

Boyd, who was eventually caught due to DNA advances in 2017, was sentenced to life after being convicted of murder in May.

David Boyd was jailed for 29 years for Nikki's murder

The force said it was "sorry for the mistakes" it had made before Boyd was eventually brought to justice.

The IOPC said it had received two complaints about Northumbria Police's investigation into her murder after Boyd was convicted.

The watchdog said the investigation would include "identification and elimination of suspects during the original investigation".

It also said it would focus on whether there were "missed opportunities" to identify the murderer using DNA analysis sooner.

The Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ) said it had made a formal complaint on behalf of Nikki Allan's mother Sharon Henderson.

Nikki's mother Sharon Henderson said she had "lost all trust in Northumbria Police"

Sharon Henderson said she had "lost all trust" in the Northumbria force and hoped the new investigation would "lift the lid and expose incompetence".

CWJ solicitor Harriet Wistrich said it was extremely concerning that a child murderer who lived three doors away from Nikki's home, failed to be caught for three decades.

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: "This is a complex and challenging case, not least because the passage of time means some of those involved in the original police investigation have since retired, but we will use all the resources available to us to ensure the family's concerns are carefully investigated," Ms Barry added.