Police probe response to murder victim's emergency call

7:48pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

THE INDEPENDENT Police Complaints Commission has tonight launched an investigation into Lancashire Constabulary's handling of an emergency call from murder victim Mohammed Shafiq.

Mr Shafiq, of York Street, Nelson, died after being stabbed in the abdomen and hit over the head with an iron bar in Thompson Park, Burnley, at 1.30pm yesterday.

Police said he had travelled to the park to be a peacemaker following a dispute between a group of youths.

A police spokesman said Mr Shafiq had made an emergency call to them on Tuesday afternoon.

He said: "A review of that call and our response to it has caused us some concern and we have referred that element of the investigation to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

"The IPCC has confirmed that it will carry out its own investigation in relation to this specific aspect of the case and so we are unable to offer any further information at this stage.

"Our priority continues to be the investigation into the murder of Mr Shafiq and we are still appealing for witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of Thompson Park yesterday afternoon to come forward."

Three men, one aged 20 and two 19, and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 17-year-old boy was also being quizzed on suspicion of violent disorder.

Police are looking for a metal bar and a blade and have drained the lake in Thompson Park as part of the search.

Officers said that while there were a number of people in the park, at the time of the incident, the majority were onlookers and not directly involved.

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