Hampshire infected blood victims await criminal inquiry decision

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

No criminal investigation has opened into infected blood cases in Hampshire, despite police statements and a formal request from the police commissioner.

Victims of the infected blood scandal in Hampshire have given statements to police, but no criminal investigation has been launched. Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police commissioner Donna Jones said she formally requested the chief constable to open an inquiry, but none had been opened at the time of speaking in October.

Ms Jones said she had encouraged victims connected to Hampshire to come forward and report their experiences during June and July. She described the delay as a 'disgrace' and a 'travesty', noting the victims' age and health. 'These men are not getting any younger and they are not very well. They have hepatitis A, C and HIV and this is a real travesty,' she said.

Ms Jones revealed the chief constable decided against launching an investigation while awaiting guidance from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) on a national police investigation. 'We still don't have any direction nationally to go on this national police investigation,' she said. The issue had been raised with government ministers for more than two years before statements were taken.

How it is being reported

• No police investigation opened despite infected blood victims giving statementsVictims in Hampshire linked to the infected blood scandal have already given statements to police, but no criminal investigation has been opened despite a formal request from Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s police commissioner.Romsey Advertiser · 21 Oct, 13:25
• No police investigation opened despite infected blood victims giving statementsVictims in Hampshire linked to the infected blood scandal have already given statements to police, but no criminal investigation has been opened despite a formal request from Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s police commissioner.Basingstoke Gazette · 21 Oct, 13:25
• Outrage as Treloar infected blood scandal remains without police investigationNo criminal investigation has been launched into the infected blood scandal linked to Lord Mayor Treloar College in Alton, despite a formal request from Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner.Bordon Herald · 21 Oct, 12:32
• Hampshire infected blood victims wait as still no criminal investigation openedVictims in Hampshire linked to the infected blood scandal have already given statements to police, but no criminal investigation has been opened despite a formal request from Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police commissioner.Southern Daily Echo · 21 Oct, 12:23

In this story: Donna Jones · Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police · National Police Chiefs' Council · Lord Mayor Treloar College · Alton · Hampshire

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