Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the actions of a police service during her childhood. This is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate police operational matters.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains the police service failed to safeguard her during her childhood when it responded to incidents related to her parent.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
3. We cannot investigate a complaint if it is about action taken by or on behalf of any local policing body in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, Section 26, paragraph 2 as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by Mrs X.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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Final decision

6. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the law prevents us from investigating actions related to the investigation of a crime.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman