The Bichard Report

The Bichard Inquiry

The day after Ian Huntley was found guilty, the Home Secretary announced the launch of an independent inquiry into the manner in which the police had handled intelligence about the school taker’s past and about the vetting processes which ultimately led to his employment in a local school.

Sir Michael Bichard, rector of the London Institute and a former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Employment, was appointed as chairman of the inquiry.

The Inquiry examined the effectiveness of Humberside and Cambridgeshire police forces’ relevant intelligence-based record keeping, vetting practices and information sharing with other agencies. The Bichard Inquiry Report draws conclusions on these matters and makes recommendations that are relevant for police, social services, education establishments, vetting departments and the government to protect children and the vulnerable nationally.