Dinnington: Investigation into police contact with arson attack victim

The 35-year-old was taken to Rotherham Hospital after being rescued by firefighters following a fire at a house on Manor Road on 1st November.

The incident was voluntarily referred to the IPCC by South Yorkshire Police on 1st November, as there had been previous contact between the force and the woman.

Following an assessment of the material in the referral, the IPCC launched an independent investigation that will examine South Yorkshire Police’s response to a number of calls made to the force.

Police arrested a Liam Fretwell, 23, of Park Avenue, North Anston and Carly Waddington, 19, of Rother Crescent, Treeton shortly after the fire. They were charged with arson with intent to endanger life and production of cannabis.

IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: “Our investigation will examine the contact between the woman and South Yorkshire Police to ascertain whether the correct procedures and policies were followed, and also whether anything further could have been done prior to the fire at her home on 1st November.”