PC failed to safeguard woman who was later kidnapped

A constable who failed to safeguard a pregnant woman who was later kidnapped would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned, a disciplinary panel has found.

PC Lee Beddington, 51, faced an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) disciplinary panel over allegations he breached professional behaviour standards.

He was found to have failed to make an immediate adult safeguarding referral, despite being advised to do so, after he investigated a concern for a vulnerable woman on 2 October 2023.

Four days later, the woman, who was four months pregnant, was kidnapped and assaulted. The constable resigned in January 2025, the IOPC said.

Following a two-day gross misconduct hearing, the panel found the former officer had breached police standards of professional behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities.

This included failing to conduct adequate enquiries, not completing the relevant documentation for an adult safeguarding referral, not contacting the woman and failing to put in place safeguarding measures on or after 2 October 2023.

He will now be placed on the College of Policing's barred list.

Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy chaired the misconduct hearing and said: "Former officer Lee Beddington's failure to carry out his duties and responsibilities left a vulnerable woman at further risk of harm.

"This was not a simple oversight or mistake, but a flagrant disregard for safeguarding."

He added the constable's conduct "fell well below the standards" and said "dismissal would have been the only appropriate sanction".

IOPC director Emily Barry said: "Former PC Beddington failed in his duty to respond appropriately to safety concerns for a pregnant woman, who was clearly in a vulnerable position, contrary to his training and police policies and guidance.

"The effects of the incident on this woman were serious and long-lasting."

Being placed on the barred list means he cannot be employed as a police officer in the future.

He was referred for his conduct to the IOPC in October 2023 by Bedfordshire Police.

The IOPC decided Beddington would face retrospective gross misconduct proceedings in April 2024, following its investigations.

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