POLICE have been told to internally investigate their search for convicted sex offender Richard Scatchard, who went on the run from his Minehead flat after the death of his partner Kelly Faiers last October.

Scatchard, aged 70, was found dead last month in a caravan near Watchet, when the owner went to install solar panels.

Now, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has advised Avon and Somerset Constabulary its professional standards department should investigate the search for Scatchard and his death.

Regional director David Ford said the IOPC would keep oversight of the investigation by reviewing it on completion.

Mr Ford said: “We have also instructed the force that if any conduct matters arise for individuals from their local investigation, they must be referred to the IOPC.”

A mandatory referral of the force was made to the IOPC in April due to police contact with Scatchard before his disappearance.

The constabulary was already subject to an earlier referral after Ms Faiers’ family formally complained about police handling of the case.

Mr Ford said the earlier investigation was ‘progressing’ and would be thorough and ensure the actions of the officers involved were properly scrutinised.

He said: “In particular, we are analysing the police decision not to detain Scatchard or begin a criminal investigation immediately after Ms Faiers was found at his address.

“We are considering what information officers who attended the Minehead address had when Scatchard was first spoken to, and any liaison that took place between them and supervisory officers.”

Ms Faiers, aged 61, died in Scatchard’s flat in the early hours of October 15 after the couple had been out drinking in a Minehead public house the previous evening.

Scatchard, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2000 for sexual offences including drugging women partners, had called an ambulance to report that Ms Faiers was critically ill.

She was pronounced dead at the scene following the arrival of paramedics, and police attended and spoke with Scatchard but did not arrest him.

When officers returned to speak to him the next day he had vanished and was not seen again until he was found dead.

A post mortem revealed Scatchard had been dead for some time but could not identify how he died.

The IOPC said shortly after the death of Ms Faiers, Scatchard was subject to a recall to prison for breaching probation conditions.

The concerns of Ms Faiers’ family related to the decisions made and actions taken by police immediately after her death, including their management of the scene, the decision not to arrest Scatchard or start a criminal investigation, and the communications police had with the family following her death.

Mr Ford said: “Our investigation is looking at the actions and decision-making of police officers involved, as well as examining if force policies and procedures were followed correctly.

“We have obtained statements from relevant police officers, taken accounts from witnesses, and are continuing to follow up on inquiries with the probation service and offender management.”