Philpott deaths 'could not have been prevented'

A report has found the deaths of Mick and Mairead's six children in a house fire the couple deliberately started themselves could not have been "predicted or prevented."

But Bernadette Philpott, the younger sister of Mairead, told ITV News' Paul Davies that things may have been different if it had been known earlier that Mick Philpott had a record for stabbing a former girlfriend.

Read: 'Some opportunities to get to know family better'

Derbyshire Police have released a statement following the serious case review into the deaths of the six Philpott children, in May 2012.

Detective Superintendent, Andy Stokes, head of public protection, said:

“The death of any child is extremely tragic but this case was particularly distressing for the families involved, the community and the officers and staff who formed the investigation team...

... The serious case review recommends that front line officers are reminded of the need to document the details of all children at an address when they attend domestic violence incidents and to consider the welfare of the children...

... This recommendation has been carried out as part of a wider programme to raise awareness of safeguarding issues across the force and all officers will be regularly reminded of the lessons highlighted in this and other serious case reviews.”

A statement from the Philpott serious case review board said:

The deaths of the six Philpott children in a house fire started by their parents "could not have been predicted or prevented", a serious case review has found.

The report carried out by the Derby Safeguarding Children Board in the aftermath of the tragedy found that while various professionals who had contact with the family could not have foreseen the fire, there were chances to get to know the family better.