Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Thomas Crabbe
Ref: 2026-0428
Date: 26 Aug 2026
Coroner: Alison Mutch
Area: Manchester South
56-day deadline: 21 Oct 2026 (stated in the report)
Responses identified: 0 of 2
0 responses identified · 2 indexed addressees
Response deadline: 21 October 2026 (stated in the report).
Coroner's concerns
Coroner’s Concerns (source excerpt)
Greater Manchester Police dealt with the concerns raised in relation to Mr Crabbe under Right Care Right Person which has been adopted by Police Forces nationally to reduce the number of incidents that police officers attend. The particular concerns that arose in relation to Right Care Right Person and how it is used/interpreted by Forces...
View full coroner's concerns
Greater Manchester Police dealt with the concerns raised in relation to Mr Crabbe under Right Care Right Person which has been adopted by Police Forces nationally to reduce the number of incidents that police officers attend.
The particular concerns that arose in relation to Right Care Right Person and how it is used/interpreted by Forces and the risk of future deaths arose in relation to several issues:
1. In this situation the Court was told that Police would have attended had the friend been able to see he was in the flat. However, Mr Crabbe could not in reality have been anywhere else given what was known about him and the information shared.
2. It was accepted in evidence that if GMP are not attending then effective signposting is essential. In this situation the Police were saying it was a health matter rather than a police matter and that NWAS were the correct organisation. This was not made clear by the call handler. The police on their review did not identify the quality issue relating to signposting.
3. The internal Police review identified that the friend should have been told to call hospitals etc. However, it was accepted in evidence that such advice would in reality have not helped as a hospital is bound by GDPR and it was unlikely that such information would have been given out. It was unclear why such advice was seen as appropriate when a concern for welfare was being raised and if it should be given by Police Forces.
The particular concerns that arose in relation to Right Care Right Person and how it is used/interpreted by Forces and the risk of future deaths arose in relation to several issues:
1. In this situation the Court was told that Police would have attended had the friend been able to see he was in the flat. However, Mr Crabbe could not in reality have been anywhere else given what was known about him and the information shared.
2. It was accepted in evidence that if GMP are not attending then effective signposting is essential. In this situation the Police were saying it was a health matter rather than a police matter and that NWAS were the correct organisation. This was not made clear by the call handler. The police on their review did not identify the quality issue relating to signposting.
3. The internal Police review identified that the friend should have been told to call hospitals etc. However, it was accepted in evidence that such advice would in reality have not helped as a hospital is bound by GDPR and it was unlikely that such information would have been given out. It was unclear why such advice was seen as appropriate when a concern for welfare was being raised and if it should be given by Police Forces.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 5th January 2026, I commenced an investigation into the death of Thomas Crabbe date of birth 8th October 1947.
The medical cause of death was: 1a) Hypothermia; and II) Ischaemic heart disease and bronchopneumonia
Conclusion-Narrative: Died from hypothermia having fallen to the floor in his flat which was not warm and when he was not able to call for assistance.
The medical cause of death was: 1a) Hypothermia; and II) Ischaemic heart disease and bronchopneumonia
Conclusion-Narrative: Died from hypothermia having fallen to the floor in his flat which was not warm and when he was not able to call for assistance.
Circumstances of the death
Thomas Crabbe was a 78-year-old man with limited mobility living alone in a social housing flat designated for the over 60s. A family friend became concerned when she was unable to contact him after 27th December 2025. She did not have a key but made several visits to try to contact him. Her concern increasing, she contacted Greater Manchester Police on 1st January to ask for help. She was told that as she could not see him within the flat that it was not a police matter. The advice was to call Stockport Homes when they reopened the next day, or it might be worth trying the ambulance service. The following day Stockport Homes were contacted as soon as they reopened. They went to the property and forced entry due to their significant concerns for his welfare following the information given. Thomas Crabbe was found deceased on the floor of the living room of the flat. He had probably been dead for several days. A post-mortem confirmed he had died of hypothermia.
Action should be taken
In my opinion unless action is taken to address the above concerns then there is a significant risk of future deaths and I believe each of you have the power to take such action.
Copies sent to
- I can confirm I have sent the report to: 1: The Executor
Similar PFD reports Shared signals
Responses identified
2 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 21 Oct 2026 (stated in the report).
Sent to
- College of Policing
- Home Office
Source links
Data: judiciary.uk.