The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will undertake an investigation into the tragic deaths of two-year-old Bronson Battersby and his father, Kenneth Battersby, in Skegness. The toddler was found alone in the house with his 60-year-old father on January 9th. It is believed that Bronson died of starvation following his father's heart attack.

Derrick Campbell from the IOPC acknowledged the "harrowing circumstances" surrounding the deaths, describing them as "truly shocking." He stated that an independent investigation is necessary to evaluate the police response to any prior welfare concerns that may have been raised. The IOPC will examine whether there were any missed opportunities by the police to check on the welfare of Mr. Battersby and Bronson earlier.

The IOPC intends to communicate with Bronson's mother and Mr. Battersby's family in due course to outline the role of the investigation and its progression. The police watchdog's involvement comes after Lincolnshire Police referred the case to the IOPC.

The tragic incident has also prompted a "rapid review" by Lincolnshire County Council into the involvement of social services. The Council revealed that a social worker had been in contact with Mr. Battersby on December 27th. A planned home visit on January 2nd was unsuccessful, as was a subsequent attempt on January 4th. On January 9th, after failing to gain access to the property, the social worker alerted Mr. Battersby's landlady, who then discovered the bodies.

Policing minister Chris Philp expressed his desire for a swift investigation, stating that two investigations would be conducted to uncover the details of the heartbreaking tragedy. Lincolnshire Police clarified that the deaths were not being treated as suspicious and had been passed on to the coroner.

Zoe Billingham, a former HM Inspector of Constabulary, emphasized the importance of effective communication between different agencies in cases like these. She stressed the need for police officers to have access to reliable information systems that highlight families at risk, as well as the availability of immediate resources for dispatch from the control room.

However, Billingham cautioned against immediately placing blame and acknowledged the challenging nature of the jobs performed by both the police and social workers.

The deaths of young Bronson Battersby and his father have shaken the community, prompting investigations into the police response and involvement of social services. Lincolnshire Police has called on anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation.