Martin Downs was Counsel in an inquest which has received substantial media coverage before the Senior Coroner of Buckinghamshire into the drug related death of a 17 year old. The case heard evidence of failures by Thames Valley Police to protect the girl from Child Sexual Exploitation despite being in possession of all the relevant facts. In addition there was close examination of their failure to understand and enforce Child Abduction Warning Notices in 2012. The Inquest heard evidence as to how Surrey Police (who were also implicated) have transformed working arrangements in this field.
The Inquest concerned a looked after child and Martin was instructed by the Local Authority.
The hearing took place in the week that Chambers launched The Inquest Book.
