A recent Northamptonshire Police review has found major shortcomings in the force’s response to the 2019 crash that claimed the life of 19‑year‑old Harry Dunn. The report concludes that officers “could and should have arrested” American diplomat Anne Sacoolas, who was driving on the wrong side of the road when her car hit Harry outside RAF Croughton. Instead, she left the UK under diplomatic immunity and later faced trial in Britain by video link, pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.
Independent reviewer Karl Whiffen, a former senior East Midlands officer, identified lapses in the initial investigation, including the failure to arrest Sacoolas at the scene. Police reports noted officers deemed her “in shock”, but Whiffen’s report states that no prompt arrest was pursued – a misstep that, in his view, hindered early evidence-gathering.
Body-worn camera footage was not recovered from officers, with devices handed over but not uploaded due to memory or battery issues. Amid the confusion, Harry’s family learned Sacoolas had claimed diplomatic cover only after she had already departed the UK. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office acknowledged requesting the delay, and the report questioned the FCDO’s lack of cooperation.
Former chief constable Nick Adderley was criticised following incorrect public statements regarding Sacoolas’s immunity and for making hostile remarks about the Dunn family’s representative. Adderley was dismissed in 2024 for gross misconduct after falsifying naval career claims. The report also highlighted a discrepancy in treatment: Harry was drug-tested despite showing no signs of intoxication, while Sacoolas was not tested at all.
Harry’s mother, Charlotte Charles, described being “bewildered” that Sacoolas’s welfare took precedence while Harry lay dying. She praised one unnamed officer for showing genuine compassion, while denouncing the treatment of her son’s belongings, which were packed into a single bag with crash debris. “These are failures no family should ever have to endure,” she said.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma James offered a formal apology on behalf of Northamptonshire Police, saying the review exposed “clear and significant shortcomings” in handling evidence, public statements and communication with the family. She noted plans to implement the review’s 38 recommendations and confirmed a private meeting had taken place with Harry’s parents to share its findings.
The review has now laid bare what many had suspected for years: that the police response after Harry Dunn’s death was marked by delays, missteps, and a lack of clear communication. With 38 recommendations now on the table, there’s hope that lessons will be taken seriously and systems improved. For Harry’s parents, though, the journey has always been about more than paperwork – it’s been about getting answers, and making sure no other family has to go through what they did. A full copy of the independent review can be accessed through Northamptonshire Police’s official website, offering transparency on the recommendations and findings.
For more updates on legal reviews, police accountability, and how these affect public trust in justice, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to know your thoughts. What changes in police procedure would make you feel safer? Join the conversation in the comments below.
[Image Credit | NN Journal]
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