Someone's Got To Make Some Changes...

...a year on from Everard’s death, the parents of Spinks have delivered a stark warning that mistakes are still being made in the cases such as their daughter’s.

“After everything that happened last year, the perception of the police with the general public is really low at the moment,” said her father, Richard Spinks. “They’ve got to realise people don’t trust them. They’ve got to do something, they’ve got to make some changes.”

They aren't the only ones though, are they? 

After her complaint, Sellers was fired from his job. Gracie was advised to report him to the police, but chose not to pursue a restraining order and asked police to caution him instead. Gracie had no more contact with Sellers, and as far as she and her family were concerned, the problem was dealt with.

It wasn't. Because the police don't have a crystal ball and can't predict who will turn out just to be a normal run-of-the-mill bitter ex, and who will turn out to be a murderer. 

Especially if they aren't assisted to do so by the victim... 

It later emerged that around a month prior to the attack, a rucksack containing weapons – a hammer, axe and knives – as well as Viagra had been found across the road from the field and handed in to Derbyshire constabulary. An investigation after Gracie’s death revealed that documentation in the bag, which Sellers frequently carried to work, had details on it linking it to his family home. The force is now being investigated by the police watchdog over its handling of Gracie’s original complaint against Sellers, and the rucksack.

The parents - understandably - point to this as a smoking gun. Perhaps they've seen too many police dramas where this would be taken seriously and prompt a confession from the miscreant. 

However, reality tells us that even if they had linked it, losing property - 'Oh, thanks, officers, I've been looking for this' - isn't a crime.