Three Greater Manchester Police officers face standards breach into Oldham mill fire search

Three police officers are under investigation for 'potential breaches of standards' during the probe into the discovery of four bodies at a burnt out mill.

The bodies of four men were discovered two and a half months after a fire tore through Bismark House in Oldham on 7 May 2022, and a full search of the remains took six months.

It took four days for fire crews to bring it under control. Nobody was believed to be inside the building at the time, but two months later, demolition workers discovered partial human remains.

A senior officer for Greater Manchester Police, has been told by the police watchdog their conduct could be found to have amounted to gross misconduct.

The conduct of other two could, following the probe, be found to have amounted to misconduct.

The officers have been served notices by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), telling them their conduct in relation to the Bismark House Mill investigation will be examined. They have not been named.

A further, extensive search of the rubble led to the discovery of remains belonging to four people. They were latter identified, through DNA testing, as Vietnamese nationals Van Nguyen, Cuong Van Chu, Duong Van Nguyen and Nam Thanh.

Greater Manchester Police previously referred itself to the force's internal Professional Standards Branch due to 'previous contact relating to the fire and missing persons'.

The case went to the IOPC in September 2022.

The IOPC said the senior officer is alleged to have 'failed to disclose relevant information regarding a criminal investigation into the recovery of the bodies of four Vietnamese nationals'.

The investigation into the other two officers relates to the 'extent of checks and action that was taken following information they received', the IOPC said.

The body said statements and interviews with some of the officers involved have been obtained and 'more lines of enquiry are being progressed'.

The IOPC emphasised that the investigation 'does not necessarily mean misconduct proceedings will follow'.

The full statement from the watchdog read: "We began our investigation following a referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in September 2022 in relation to prior contact officers had with the families of Vietnamese men that were found dead at Bissmark Mill in Oldham two months after a fire in July 2022.

"We can confirm a senior GMP officer has been served with a notice informing them they are under investigation for a potential breach of professional standards that could amount to gross misconduct.

"It relates to an allegation that the officer failed to disclose relevant information regarding a criminal investigation into the recovery of the bodies of four Vietnamese nationals in Oldham.

"Two other officers have also served with a notice for informing them they are under investigation for a potential breach of professional standards that could amount to misconduct. This relates to the extent of checks and action that was taken following information they received.

"Statements and interviews with some of the officers have been obtained and more lines of enquiry are being progressed. Notices are issued where there is an indication of misconduct.

"This is ensuring that those under investigation are aware of their rights. It does not necessarily mean misconduct proceedings will follow and, as with any investigation, this is kept under review."

A spokesperson for GMP said none of the officers in question have been suspended. The force declined to comment further.

Detectives believe the four men are likely to have been victims of modern-day slavery, although the cause of the devastating fire is still unknown.

A criminal investigation remains open, with four people currently on bail.

Inquests into the deaths of the men have been formally opened at Rochdale Coroners' Court, but are unlikely to be re-opened until the criminal investigation has concluded.