Victims in Hampshire linked to the infected blood scandal have already given statements to police, but no criminal investigation has been opened despite a formal request from Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s police commissioner.
More than two years after first raising the issue with government ministers, Donna Jones said she was “incredibly unhappy” that no decision had been made on whether a wider police investigation should be launched.
Speaking at a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime panel on October 16, the commissioner described the delay as a “disgrace” and a “travesty”.
She said: “These men are not getting any younger and they are not very well. They have hepatitis A, C and HIV and this is a real travesty.”
Ms Jones said she encouraged victims connected to Hampshire to come forward and report their experiences to police during June and July.
“Statements have been taken and I have formally requested the Chief Constable to launch a Hampshire police investigation into the infected blood scandal,” she said.
However, she revealed that no investigation had yet been opened.
“At this time there was not technically a police investigation open.”
According to Ms Jones, the chief constable decided against launching an investigation while awaiting the outcome of a review by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
“We still don’t have any direction nationally to go on this national police investigation,” she said.
“This obviously happened across the country and some of these stories are horrific.”
Ms Jones said the NPCC had been asked to review the findings of the infected blood inquiry and advise on whether a national police investigation should be launched, but repeated deadlines had passed without a decision.
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: “We are linked in with our national policing partners who are undertaking a review as a result of the infected blood inquiry.
“Locally, we have met with infected and affected individuals in Hampshire, and crime reports have been taken.
“We will conduct a thorough review of all the information provided to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary to determine our next steps.”
The scandal has a particularly strong connection to Hampshire through Lord Mayor Treloar College in Alton, where 122 haemophiliac boys were treated during the 1970s and 1980s.
Many were later infected with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood products.
A memorial honouring the 122 boys was unveiled at the college in September.
Ms Jones said she would continue pressing for progress while victims and their families waited for a decision on whether a wider police investigation would be launched.
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