Georgina Gharsallah: Sussex Police Referred To Watchdog Over Alleged Failings

Sussex Police have referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a review found alleged failings during the force's investigation into the disappearance of Georgina Gharsallah.

During a press conference on September 16, and later confirmed by Sussex Police, it was revealed that Sussex police had been conducting an internal review into its investigation.

It became apparent that there were a number of alleged failings during the force's investigation, such as the loss of CCTV footage.

It was also alleged that the role of ethnicity, race and lifestyle could have played a part in the force's allocation of resources.

You can find background information and details that emerged during the press conference here.

An IOPC spokesperson said:

"The IOPC has received a voluntary complaint referral from Sussex Police regarding the force’s investigation into the disappearance of Georgina Gharsallah who was last seen in the Worthing area in March 2018.

"In order to fully assess the complaint referral, the IOPC has requested additional documentation from Sussex Police.

"Once we have received the extra information we will then thoroughly assess all the material in order to determine the level, if any, of our involvement."

The group supporting Georgina's mother, Andrea Gharsallah, and driving the call for action are The Friends and Family of Georgina Gharsallah.

In a statement, they said:

"Sussex Police have referred itself to the IOPC for investigation after a six-month internal review found serious failings in the force’s investigation into Georgina’s disappearance, which has resulted in 27 separate recommendations.

"The force has also asked the IOPC to investigate the role that ethnicity, race and lifestyle played in the allocation of resources to the investigation.

"The internal review found that key CCTV footage was lost and most of the CCTV footage relevant to Georgina’s disappearance was not looked at for over a year after she went missing."

Sussex Police confirmed its referral in a statement this afternoon (Tuesday):

"Sussex Police has made a voluntary referral to the IOPC with regards to the investigation into the disappearance of Georgina Gharsallah." 

Andrea Gharsallah has welcomed the news.

She said:

"I welcome the self-referral.

"There were significant failings, particularly around the matter of CCTV.

"Initially, the force referred the review findings to their own Professional Standards but following calls from the us it has now decided to pass the investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

"I will shortly be meeting with the Chief Constable, Jo Shiner, and I shall make my views as Georgina’s mother and as a citizen known to her."

Former DCI Clive Driscol has supported the family during the investigation and assessed Sussex Police's actions.

Clive was the officer who secured the convictions in the Stephen Lawrence case, which was unsolved for nearly 20 years.

He said:

"I believe that if Georgina was blue eyed and blonde that sadly she would have got a better service.

"I welcome this investigation and hope that it brings some comfort to the family of Georgina.

"We want to find her and find out what happened to her and to do so, we need to restart the investigation.”

Matt Goode, the family’s legal advisor welcomed the 'development' and said the family are hoping that 'at least some good can come of this'.

He added that the focus always will remain on finding Georgina and trying to find out what happened to her.