The family of a man who killed himself three years ago has criticised South Wales Police for still not having implemented the recommended force-wide measures which might have helped save his life. In October 2019, dad-of-five John White wrote goodbye notes to his loved ones before making his way to a bridge near his home in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
There the 43-year-old, who'd suffered with mental health problems, was spotted looking agitated by passersby who, fearing for his safety, called the police. Unbeknownst to them John had also dialled 999 - but, despite a lengthy discussion with a group of officers who'd arrived at the scene, he couldn't be dissuaded from hanging himself.
However, because none of the officers were carrying any kind of knife or blade capable of slicing through the ligature John had tied around his neck, a number of minutes passed before they could cut him down. One officer even reportedly had to resort to knocking on the doors of nearby houses to ask if anyone had anything sharp he could use, before a further colleague finally arrived with something suitable.
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John ended up being rushed to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Pontyclun, but tragically died a few days later. A subsequent investigation into the incident by the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) would eventually recommend that all response vehicles should come equipped with the kind of tools to deal with just such an emergency.
Nevertheless, at the inquest last month into John's suicide his family were shocked to learn that South Wales Police had not obtained any such ligature cutters until this summer - despite the IOPC's recommendation having been accepted by Chief Superintendent Clare Evans on behalf of the force in July 2020. Moreover, senior coroner Graeme D Hughes revealed that, as of a few weeks ago, three quarters of frontline officers still hadn't been issued with any.
In official documents obtained by WalesOnline, Mr Hughes also expressed further concerns that there was no "bespoke training" for officers attending these kinds of traumatic incidents, other than 'a 2017 video covering this type of scenario as part of mental health awareness tutorials'. John's brother Paul, from Cardiff, said that he felt angry and saddened at the lack of progress since his sibling's death.
"It amazes me that, years after John died, the recommendation made by the IOPC still hasn't been taken up," said the 42-year-old teacher. "It's jaw-dropping actually.
"I was at the inquest in October and heard the official conclusion of the jury that it was the failure to release John's ligature sooner which possibly affected his chances of survival. The coroner also expressed concerns that others still might die unless the police sort this out."
"Had someone there that night been carrying a knife my brother could've been cut down in seconds," added Paul. "That means the outcome might have been very different and he'd still be here right now."
Indeed, during his conclusion at October's inquest Mr Hughes the coroner gave a dire warning that there could be more incidents like John's. He stated, "In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken."
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said, "Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of Mr White. Following a recommendation by the IOPC the force is issuing ligature cutters and providing mandatory training to all frontline police officers and Police Community Support Officers."
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