Devon Cornwall Police
Police / Law Enforcement
Action Taken
Devon and Cornwall Police have updated their policy to include specific requirements for information sharing with other forces regarding vulnerable individuals, including those travelling into or out of the area, and information from sources like ANPR. (AI summary)
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Dear Mrs Lees Prevention of Future Deaths: Stuart Martin Fowkes I am in receipt of the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths dated 20 October 2025 addressed to the Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police. I offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Fowkes following the outcome of this inquest. I am Assistant Chief Constable , and I am authorised to respond to the points raised on behalf of the Chief Constable under Regulation 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. I have been assisted in the completion of this Response by Detective Superintendent J and Superintendent The information and concerns raised within the Regulation 28 Report has been considered in detail. Those concerns are understood to be as follows: NOTE: With effect from 1 January 2019, fax communication will not be possible. Documents can either be sent via hard copy post or via email to legalservices@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Joint Legal Services for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police gather and hold personal data. This may be shared where necessary with third parties acting for and on behalf of the Chief Constable. Personal data is processed securely at all times and is held no longer than is necessary. The retention period is six years in accordance with the Limitation Act
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at:
(1) DCP had a recorded log entry ref 20250526-0051 of a domestic and suicidal report made to DCP by Mr Fowkes’s Mother on 26/5/25 timed at 00:52. Coronial enquiries elicited a response from a PC who confirmed the details of that report being from (Mother of the deceased) who lives in Devon and Cornwall area. She reported her adult son Stuart Fowkes, born 17/6/89 had left her property in a vehicle whilst in drink and suicidal. Prior to leaving, Fowkes had been shouting and swearing at his mum and whilst close to her, threatened to put his fist in her face. She said she couldn’t stop him leaving as she thought he was going to hurt her. He had told her that if he hadn’t come down to see her tonight, he would have gone to harm himself. (2) DCP recorded a second reference to Mr Fowkes being suicidal under the same reference at 00:56 and 01:17 including further information that Mr Fowkes is suicidal and that his father committed suicide 8 years ago in Birmingham. (3) DCP had recorded a known risk to Mr Fowke’s life. (4) DCP appear to have been aware of Mr Fowke’s risk of suicide in the early hours of 26 May 2025. (5) WMP conducted an internal investigation which revealed that no risk to Mr Fowke’s life was shared with West Midlands Police by Devon and Cornwall Police. WMP reported that based on information from DCP, Mr Fowkes was wanted for drink driving and domestic abuse offences. By the time Mr Fowke’s ex-partner raised a concern for his safety and made reference to suicide it is likely Mr Fowkes was already deceased. In response to those concerns I would say as follows: A review of the case of Mr Fowkes has been undertaken by Devon & Cornwall Police through an internal investigation by the Professional Standards Department (‘PSD’) completed on 11 July 2025 and this has been reviewed by the Independent Office of Police Conduct. The conclusion of that report, and of the IOPC subsequent review, was that no officer or member of Devon & Cornwall Police staff involved in this incident had committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner which would justify brining disciplinary proceedings. As a result of the above review, consideration has been given to the following elements of this case:
1. Ensuring that mental health of an individual who is the subject of a police report is given appropriate consideration in each case. NOTE: With effect from 1 January 2019, fax communication will not be possible. Documents can either be sent via hard copy post or via email to legalservices@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Joint Legal Services for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police gather and hold personal data. This may be shared where necessary with third parties acting for and on behalf of the Chief Constable. Personal data is processed securely at all times and is held no longer than is necessary. The retention period is six years in accordance with the Limitation Act
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at: htps:/w.devon-cornwal.police.uk/your-right-to-information/data-protection-requests/privacy-noticefair-procesing/http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=3882
2. Ensuring that information sharing is effective, providing safeguarding to the individual and potentially preventing crimes against others.
3. Accepted best practice is to notify other forces (in this case, West Midlands Police) of an individual’s return to their force area and the associated potential risks, even if those risks have reduced, whether or not recorded as a missing person. It is accepted that information regarding Mr Fowkes was not shared by Devon & Cornwall Police with West Midlands Police in this case. It is not suggested, I understand, that the lack of information sharing in this case contributed towards the tragic outcome. However, it is recognised there were recommendations made, and learning taken from this incident to ensure the high level of public service we strive for within this force are met and, where necessary, improved upon. Upon receipt of the PSD Report referred to above, the Devon & Cornwall Police Contact and Resolution Centre (‘CRC’), who are responsible for the contact centre and dispatching to incidents, have taken the following steps to address the learning raised in this matter:
1. A briefing delivered to all CRC supervisors and staff as follows: This briefing is to raise awareness of a recommendation surrounding how we share information with other forces following a coroner’s inquest to the death of a Male who sadly took his own life. In May 2025 the force received a 101 call from another force which informed us there was a potential drink driver, there were links to a domestic and he had suicidal ideology. We never located the male in force and had information he had returned to his home force. The recommendation highlights a call back to that force would have been best practice to prevent crime in that area and offer information to help safeguard the individual. (. . .) as above can all staff please consider the recommendation that a call back is to be made where needed to share information and mitigate risks. This is also best practice if we initiate the information in force and need to make another force aware of a risk in their force area.
2. In addition, a review of Force Policy has been undertaken and Policy DCP-P-051 referring to grading and deployment is also in the process of being amended, with the addition of the below new section as follows:
3. 18 Sharing information with other forces If DCP are in possession of any information and intelligence that may have a direct impact on an individual’s wellbeing located outside of Devon and Cornwall, then this information must be shared with the relevant Force to ensure steps are taken to mitigate risk and vulnerability and to safeguard those concerned. Please see the below examples. This is not an exhaustive list: NOTE: With effect from 1 January 2019, fax communication will not be possible. Documents can either be sent via hard copy post or via email to legalservices@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Joint Legal Services for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police gather and hold personal data. This may be shared where necessary with third parties acting for and on behalf of the Chief Constable. Personal data is processed securely at all times and is held no longer than is necessary. The retention period is six years in accordance with the Limitation Act
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at: htps:/w.devon-cornwal.polce.uk/your-right-to-information/data-protection-requests/prlvacy-notlcefalr-procesing/http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=3882
• Any call from another Force to notify that a person is coming Devon and Cornwall with vulnerabilities. DCP must notify the relevant Force If the individual subsequently leaves.
• Any individual travelling out of Devon and Cornwall where there is a concern for welfare or other vulnerabilities (DA, missing persons etc).
• Any information gained from other sources such as ANPR activations or third-party information that would be relevant to another Force. I trust the information contained within this Response provides reassurance to HM Coroner If I can assist further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at:
(1) DCP had a recorded log entry ref 20250526-0051 of a domestic and suicidal report made to DCP by Mr Fowkes’s Mother on 26/5/25 timed at 00:52. Coronial enquiries elicited a response from a PC who confirmed the details of that report being from (Mother of the deceased) who lives in Devon and Cornwall area. She reported her adult son Stuart Fowkes, born 17/6/89 had left her property in a vehicle whilst in drink and suicidal. Prior to leaving, Fowkes had been shouting and swearing at his mum and whilst close to her, threatened to put his fist in her face. She said she couldn’t stop him leaving as she thought he was going to hurt her. He had told her that if he hadn’t come down to see her tonight, he would have gone to harm himself. (2) DCP recorded a second reference to Mr Fowkes being suicidal under the same reference at 00:56 and 01:17 including further information that Mr Fowkes is suicidal and that his father committed suicide 8 years ago in Birmingham. (3) DCP had recorded a known risk to Mr Fowke’s life. (4) DCP appear to have been aware of Mr Fowke’s risk of suicide in the early hours of 26 May 2025. (5) WMP conducted an internal investigation which revealed that no risk to Mr Fowke’s life was shared with West Midlands Police by Devon and Cornwall Police. WMP reported that based on information from DCP, Mr Fowkes was wanted for drink driving and domestic abuse offences. By the time Mr Fowke’s ex-partner raised a concern for his safety and made reference to suicide it is likely Mr Fowkes was already deceased. In response to those concerns I would say as follows: A review of the case of Mr Fowkes has been undertaken by Devon & Cornwall Police through an internal investigation by the Professional Standards Department (‘PSD’) completed on 11 July 2025 and this has been reviewed by the Independent Office of Police Conduct. The conclusion of that report, and of the IOPC subsequent review, was that no officer or member of Devon & Cornwall Police staff involved in this incident had committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner which would justify brining disciplinary proceedings. As a result of the above review, consideration has been given to the following elements of this case:
1. Ensuring that mental health of an individual who is the subject of a police report is given appropriate consideration in each case. NOTE: With effect from 1 January 2019, fax communication will not be possible. Documents can either be sent via hard copy post or via email to legalservices@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Joint Legal Services for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police gather and hold personal data. This may be shared where necessary with third parties acting for and on behalf of the Chief Constable. Personal data is processed securely at all times and is held no longer than is necessary. The retention period is six years in accordance with the Limitation Act
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at: htps:/w.devon-cornwal.police.uk/your-right-to-information/data-protection-requests/privacy-noticefair-procesing/http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=3882
2. Ensuring that information sharing is effective, providing safeguarding to the individual and potentially preventing crimes against others.
3. Accepted best practice is to notify other forces (in this case, West Midlands Police) of an individual’s return to their force area and the associated potential risks, even if those risks have reduced, whether or not recorded as a missing person. It is accepted that information regarding Mr Fowkes was not shared by Devon & Cornwall Police with West Midlands Police in this case. It is not suggested, I understand, that the lack of information sharing in this case contributed towards the tragic outcome. However, it is recognised there were recommendations made, and learning taken from this incident to ensure the high level of public service we strive for within this force are met and, where necessary, improved upon. Upon receipt of the PSD Report referred to above, the Devon & Cornwall Police Contact and Resolution Centre (‘CRC’), who are responsible for the contact centre and dispatching to incidents, have taken the following steps to address the learning raised in this matter:
1. A briefing delivered to all CRC supervisors and staff as follows: This briefing is to raise awareness of a recommendation surrounding how we share information with other forces following a coroner’s inquest to the death of a Male who sadly took his own life. In May 2025 the force received a 101 call from another force which informed us there was a potential drink driver, there were links to a domestic and he had suicidal ideology. We never located the male in force and had information he had returned to his home force. The recommendation highlights a call back to that force would have been best practice to prevent crime in that area and offer information to help safeguard the individual. (. . .) as above can all staff please consider the recommendation that a call back is to be made where needed to share information and mitigate risks. This is also best practice if we initiate the information in force and need to make another force aware of a risk in their force area.
2. In addition, a review of Force Policy has been undertaken and Policy DCP-P-051 referring to grading and deployment is also in the process of being amended, with the addition of the below new section as follows:
3. 18 Sharing information with other forces If DCP are in possession of any information and intelligence that may have a direct impact on an individual’s wellbeing located outside of Devon and Cornwall, then this information must be shared with the relevant Force to ensure steps are taken to mitigate risk and vulnerability and to safeguard those concerned. Please see the below examples. This is not an exhaustive list: NOTE: With effect from 1 January 2019, fax communication will not be possible. Documents can either be sent via hard copy post or via email to legalservices@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Joint Legal Services for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police gather and hold personal data. This may be shared where necessary with third parties acting for and on behalf of the Chief Constable. Personal data is processed securely at all times and is held no longer than is necessary. The retention period is six years in accordance with the Limitation Act
1980. Retention can be longer on a case by case basis where this is necessary and in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI). If you wish to know more about how we process personal data please do visit our respective websites at: htps:/w.devon-cornwal.polce.uk/your-right-to-information/data-protection-requests/prlvacy-notlcefalr-procesing/http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=3882
• Any call from another Force to notify that a person is coming Devon and Cornwall with vulnerabilities. DCP must notify the relevant Force If the individual subsequently leaves.
• Any individual travelling out of Devon and Cornwall where there is a concern for welfare or other vulnerabilities (DA, missing persons etc).
• Any information gained from other sources such as ANPR activations or third-party information that would be relevant to another Force. I trust the information contained within this Response provides reassurance to HM Coroner If I can assist further, please do not hesitate to contact me.