Cops delayed seeing a television journalist for nine days after she had reported domestic abuse, a police watchdog report has found.
Teresa McMahon, who worked for ITV News Granada Reports, was found dead less than two weeks after the police saw her.
Greater Manchester Police had also failed to inform Teresa of her former partner's violent history, when she requested it under Clare's Law, and lost bodycam footage where she discussed her concerns with cops, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report found.
Teresa's family lodged a complaint with the IPOC about the force's initial inquiry after the 43-year-old was found dead in her flat in Salford, Greater Manchester.
The IPOC said the investigation conducted by GMP into the complaints made "was not adequate, reasonable or proportionate" and that "lines of enquiry had not been pursued".
It has also told the force "to reinvestigate the complaints in line with procedures outlined in their domestic abuse policy.”
Teresa, who worked as a producer and news editor for Granada Reports, had reported domestic abuse in the weeks before she died, the report says.
She had ended the relationship but accused her former partner of pressuring her to reunite, Manchester Evening News reports.
Teresa asked Greater Manchester Police for details of his history of violence but they refused to share his record saying she was no longer in a relationship and had no right to see it.
Furthermore, a police bodycam recording of an interview with Teresa discussing her concerns 12 days before she died was also lost by the force.
The IOPC review of the way GMP handled the family's complaint says: "In regards to the decision to disclose information to Teresa under Clare’s Law... guidance stipulates that the scheme applies to former partners, as well as current partners. Accordingly, this could be revisited and considered as part of the reinvestigation.
"It is of note that Teresa informed officers that she had ended the relationship, however, she informed the police that he was pushing to reconcile the relationship.
"Was consideration given by the officers involved in this matter of the possibility that Teresa may have returned to the relationship and were the risks surrounding this considered? Or were the risks considered if (he) could have been a risk to Teresa despite them having ended the relationship.
"Teresa is described by the investigating officer as not engaging with officers, or hesitant to provide further details of the situation, and she informed officers that she did not wish to proceed with any further police action. The reinvestigation could consider what Teresa’s motive would be behind this, was she afraid of repercussions, or experiencing coercion and control within her relationship."
Teresa reported the domestic abuse via email on July 12, 2021, to the police.
Her report was then assessed as being suitable to be dealt with the Domestic Abuse appointment process, rather than police attending as a matter of urgency.
Teresa was asked to attend an appointment on July 13 but it was cancelled due to “resourcing issues ahead of the appointment which were identified along with the need to reschedule.”
The IOPC report says: "It is of note that Teresa was visited at her home address on 21 July 2021. This is a delay of nine days, and in my view, this would be a significant time to have passed in regard to an investigation of this nature.
"The police investigator does not appear to have addressed and provided a meaningful rationale for this delay, and demonstrated if any consideration was made in regard to how this could have impacted Teresa and how she would feel about pursuing this matter."
The report says: "It is of note that Teresa's former partner had a history of offending on PNC, (Police National Computer) and this intelligence was available to officers. Therefore, what considerations of risk were made in regard to Teresa. The reinvestigation could consider if it was an appropriate decision to dismiss this information when all of the information is put into context?"
It adds that the reinvestigation should "provide a meaningful rationale" as to why bodycam footage of Teresa being interviewed by an officer on July 21 at her home was not retained. GMP disclosed it has been lost or not retained due to a "system fault".
Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester, Baroness Hughes, says in a letter to Teresa's aunt, Lorna McMahon: "I will raise my concerns with the Chief Constable regarding the capture and retention of body-worn video to seek some answers and assurances that system errors are not regular occurrences within the use of the technology and for lessons to be learned where possible."
The IOPC report concludes: "Due to the nature and profile of this investigation, the force may wish to consider whether the reinvestigation should be subject to special procedures."
A GMP spokesperson said: "GMP is re-investigating the complaint and note an Inquest into the death of Teresa McMahon is due to be heard, so we are unable to comment further at this stage."
They added: "Under our regulations, we are unable to comment while PSB (GMP's Professional Standards Branch) or the IOPC are investigating."
An inquest scheduled for February 10 will now be postponed.
The Mirror contacted the IPOC and Greater Manchester Police for a comment.
*For confidential support, call the 24-hourNational Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.ukIf you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse)can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
