More police staff could face charges over Ebrahimi

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering taking action against two more members of Avon and Somerset Police, after the murder of a man in Bristol. Bijan Ebrahimi had begged for help just hours before he was beaten to death in July last year.

It brings the number of police staff or officers that have been referred to the prosecuting authority to six. Today Avon and Somerset's Acting Chief Constable said the force would "continue to improve the way we work to protect the public and keep them safe."

Bijan Ebrahimi suffered a six-year witchhunt by some people on the Brislington estate where he lived. The 44 year old complained to police - only to be arrested himself, wrongly suspected as a paedophile.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been investigating. It had already referred to prosecutors three constables and a community support officer. Today it said evidence files for two more police staff had also been passed on.

It was Lee James who beat Mr Ebrahimi to death and set his body alight. His accomplice Stephen Norley admitted assisting an offender. Both are in prison.

But will the six police officers and staff also face proceedings over failures in the run-up to Mr Ebrahimi's death? That decision now lies with prosecuting lawyers.