Police watchdog launches probe into Northampton officers' previous contact with Edward Tenniswood

A force watchdog has relaunched its investigation into the way Northamptonshire Police reacted when India Chipchase went missing in January and will delve into previous contact officers had with Edward Tenniswood.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had launched an enquiry shortly after Miss Chipchase, 20, was found dead in a house in Stanley Road, Northampton.

But the probe was suspended while the murder investigation and Edward Tenniswood’s subsequent trial took place.

Now the IPCC says it has restarted that investigation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman said: “The investigation was suspended due to related criminal proceedings, but will now resume.

“We will also be investigating the nature of previous contact that police had with Edward Tenniswood, prior to his arrest for India’s murder.

“Due to an ongoing investigation by Northamptonshire Police we are unable to comment further at this stage.”

Tenniswood, 52, was found guilty of the rape and murder of India at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday on Tuesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It can now be revealed that the former bookkeeper, described as an “oddball” by his own barrister, is also subject to a separate criminal investigation for an unrelated matter, police have confirmed.

This was mentioned at an earlier court hearing, but could not be reported until the end of the trial.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show yesterday morning, the detective in charge of the murder investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Woliter from the East Midlands Special Operational Unit (EMSOU), said police had come into contact with Tenniswood only two days prior to the night Miss Chipchase went missing.

This, he said, was how an officer recognised the murderer on CCTV footage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told the BBC: “Tenniswood was dealt with a couple of days earlier for an unrelated matter.

“When we knew India had gone missing, we circulated CCTV taken from outside the nightclub (NB’s) which showed India being led away.

“One of the police officers recognised India from those images.

“That enabled us to go round to his home address and that is unfortunately where we discovered India’s body.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In response to the IPCC investigation, a Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “There is an on-going IPCC investigation into the nature of previous contact between Northamptonshire Police and Edward Tenniswood, and as such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”