Epsom and Ewell Community Safety Partnership has completed a Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) following the tragic deaths of Emma and Lettie Pattison last year, who were found dead in their home along with George Pattison, Emma’s husband and Lettie’s father.

The DHR was commissioned by the Epsom & Ewell Community Safety Partnership and carried out by an Independent Chair and review panel, which included representatives from Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Police, the NHS and the East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS).

The review identifies recommendations following the tragic event which took place in Epsom last year, including:

• Adjustments to how partners and organisations work, individually and together, to continue to improve the safeguarding of all domestic abuse victims
• How the proposals within the report, including those that further strengthen existing guidance, are taken forward and by whom
• A better understanding of the nature of domestic violence and abuse, and
• Highlighting good practice.

The recommendations aim to help support and safeguard victims of domestic abuse and their children in future.

Rod Brown, Chair of the Epsom & Ewell Community Safety Partnership, said “The Domestic Homicide Review examined the contact and involvement of all professionals and agencies with the family members who died last year, and captured learnings. Those will be taken forward to help those at risk of domestic abuse in our borough, and beyond, and help reduce the risk of a similar tragedy occurring again.”

Councillor Shanice Goldman, Chair of the Crime and Disorder Committee at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the family members, friends, and colleagues of the families for their invaluable contributions to the Epsom and Ewell Community Safety Partnership’s review during such a profoundly challenging time. Their courage and resilience in navigating this process while coping with their loss is deeply admirable. Their commitment to fostering positive change in the wake of such a personal tragedy is truly commendable and serves as an inspiration to us all.”

Chief Superintendent Clive Davies said: “On behalf of Surrey Police, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and those affected by the deaths of Emma and Lettie, and of George Pattison.

“The tragic deaths of Emma and Lettie draw attention to the need to dispel and challenge assumptions and misconceptions around who may or may not be victims of domestic abuse, and who indeed may be capable of causing such harm. Otherwise, we know that many victims will feel unable to reach out, and will continue to suffer in silence, while those causing harm in relationships are able to exist unchecked.

“We must also take this opportunity to highlight that children can, and are, victims of domestic abuse in their own right, and together we must ensure that they are also seen, heard and supported.

“Domestic abuse in its many forms, whether coercive, controlling, physical, sexual, financial or emotional, must not be tolerated and we will do everything we can to support those who are being abused and ensure that those perpetrating it are brought to justice.”

Epsom and Ewell Community Safety Partnership is a statutory partnership consisting of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Probation Service, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, and non-statutory members: Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner, The Epsom Business Improvement District and Town and Country Housing (previously Rosebery Housing Association).

Partners can be contacted as follows:
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council: communications@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Surrey Police: media.relations@surrey.police.uk
Surrey County Council: dutymedia@surreycc.gov.uk
First Community and Health and Care: fchc.comms@nhs.net
Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership: syheartlandsicb.comms@nhs.net
East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS): support@esdas.org.uk FAO the CEO

The report can be found here: Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council this page includes the Executive Summary, Overview Report and Action Plan.