‘No evidence of racial bias’ in police response to Owami Davies disappearance, review finds
Several recommendations for change made following criticism of response to Black student nurse’s disappearance
A review has found “no evidence of racial bias” in the police response to the disappearance of a Black student nurse.
Owami Davies, 24, was not located for seven weeks after being reported missing by her mother.
There were questions about the length of time before missing person appeals were issued, and an incident where the Metropolitan Police circulated a photo of a different Black woman by mistake.
The force, alongside Essex Police, carried out a review of the case that made several recommendations.
Scotland Yard said it had asked members of a Central Race Independent Advisory Group and Independent Advisory Groups in Croydon and Essex to challenge the process.
“They were satisfied there was no evidence of racial bias,” a statement added.
“We were alive to concerns from the Black community that race was a factor in how officers responded to Owami’s disappearance.”
After leaving her family home in Grays on 4 July, Ms Davies was reported as missing to Essex Police on 6 July.
Metropolitan Police officers encountered the student nurse in Clarendon Road, Croydon, later that day but she informed officers that their help wasn’t required and left.
The review said that a concerned member of the public had called police, and that officers had “faced a difficult balance in seeking to support her, whilst also respecting her wish for privacy and her clear request to be left alone”.
Ms Davies’ details had not yet been circulated on a national police database, but as she declined to provide her full name, date of birth or address, a search would not have been possible.
The review said that Ms Davies was initially graded as medium risk after being reported missing by her mother, but that on 15 July the risk was escalated to high.
The change happened because several potential sightings had been eliminated and there was no use of financial accounts or internet activity, resulting in concern that Ms Davies had come to harm.
The investigation was transferred to the Metropolitan Police on 23 July and the force published several appeals for information on her whereabouts, including one featuring the image of a different woman.
The review said the mistake was the result of “human error” after a member of staff in the Metropolitan Police press office was taken ill and a colleague took over at short notice.
It recommended that senior police officers approve all picture releases and press lines on investigations before they are published.
The review made a total of nine recommendations for the Metropolitan Police and six for Essex Police, which concern the way missing persons investigations are managed and transferred between regional forces.
Commander Paul Brogden, of the Metropolitan Police, said the investigation was the biggest missing person’s probe conducted by the force this year.
“Officers worked tirelessly over several weeks to ensure Owami was found safe and well,” he added.
“The Met received 43,040 missing person reports in the year to May. Each investigation has a unique set of circumstances and requires a proportionate policing response. We will use the findings of this report to improve our service to Londoners.
“We remain in contact with Owami and her family and we wish them well for the future.”