Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about the Authority’s investigation into the actions of the local police because the issues complained about relate to the investigation of a reported crime, and the law says we cannot investigate.

The complaint

1. Mrs X complains the Authority failed to investigate her complaint about the Metropolitan Police Service.
2. Mrs X said the matter caused her distress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. The Local Government Act 1974 sets out our powers but also imposes restrictions on what we can investigate.
4. We cannot investigate a complaint if it is about action taken by or on behalf of any local policing body in connection with the investigation or prevention of crime. (Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 5, Section 26, paragraph 2 as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

5. I considered information provided by the complainant.
6. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

7. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint. The issues complained about relate to the actions taken by the police in relation to the investigation or prevention of crime. The law says we cannot investigate, as explained at point four of this decision.

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Final decision

8. We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint because the issues complained about relate to the actions of the police in relation to the investigation of a reported crime, and the law says we cannot investigate.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman