Breck Bednar murder: Police sorry over mistakes that led to grooming and murder of boy
Breck’s mother expressed concerns to police in the weeks before the murder, but they chose not to follow up
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Parents of the murdered schoolboy Breck Bednar have received a pay-out from Surrey Police, after the force issued an unreserved apology and admitted they made “mistakes” during his case.
Breck was killed in 2014, aged 14, after being groomed by computer engineer Lewis Daynes, who was 19 at the time. Mr Daynes lured Breck to his Essex flat and stabbed him in what is believed to be a sexually motivated attack.
It later emerged Breck’s mother, Lorin LaFave, 48, contacted officers in the weeks before the murder to voice concerns that her son was being groomed online, but police chose not to follow up the concerns.
Her worries, first reported to Surrey police in 2011, were not investigated and it was subsequently revealed that Mr Daynes had previously been arrested on suspicion of raping another teenage boy. The offences were reinvestigated only when Mr Daynes was brought in for questioning over Breck’s murder.
In a statement, the force said: “Surrey Police accept that mistakes were made in how Ms LaFave’s telephone call to them was handled and responded to; and unreservedly apologises for them.
“As part of the settlement, Surrey Police have agreed to implement recommended changes to their procedures to ensure that other children like Breck are protected.
“Mr Bednar and Ms LaFave hope to work with Surrey Police in order to enhance awareness of the dangers that young people face online and to ensure that appropriate training is given to staff to assist in the prevention of similar crimes against children.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched an investifation, and found the call handler and their supervisor were ill-equipped for deadling with grooming concerns.
Ms LaFave has launched the Breck Foundation to help educate children about the dangers of the internet
Mr Daynes, now 20, is now serving a life sentence in prison.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.