The police watchdog is investigation the Metropolitan Police after officers spoke to a student nurse who had been reported missing and then let her go.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is looking into reports officers from Scotland Yard came into contact with student nurse Owami Davies on July 6, two days after she disappeared from her family home in Grays, Essex on July 4.
Ms Davies’s family reported her missing to Essex Police on July 6 and the force handed the investigation to the Metropolitan Police on July 23.
The 24-year-old, was last seen just after midnight in Derby Road, West Croydon, South London, on July 7 – one day after police spoke to her.
More than six weeks later, detectives are still trying to trace her whereabouts, with police suggesting she could be riding on trains or in the Tube while dazed and confused.
Five men were arrested in connection with her disappearance earlier this month and have since been released under investigation.
The Met Police has confirmed its officers spoke to Owami Davies in Croydon on July 6, two days after she went missing
She was last seen in Croydon on July 7, with this CCTV image showing her walking north on London Road shortly after midday
On Saturday, the Met revealed its officers had spoken to her on July 6.
In a statement, the force said officers were called to an address in Clarendon Road, Croydon, to concerns over the welfare of a woman.
Police and London Ambulance Service attended the address and spoke to the woman but she told them she did not want help and left.
She had not yet been marked as a missing person on the police database at the time.
The Met only later established that the woman was Ms Davies’ as a result of their missing person investigation.
The force said its professional standards body was consulted and is not investigating the officers.
Owami Davies, 24, has been missing since she left her family home in Grays, Essex, on July 4 – more than six weeks ago
But it said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) requested the matter to be referred to them.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: ‘The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) were consulted and as there has been contact with police the IOPC were informed.
‘The IOPC has requested the matter be referred to them.
‘The officers are not subject to any current investigation by the DPS.
‘The interaction recorded on the officers’ body-worn video has been viewed by members of the Independent Advisory Group and Owami’s family to ensure openness and transparency.’
The IOPC said in a statement: ‘We can confirm that we received a referral on August 5 from the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to contact officers had with Owami Davies in Croydon on July 6, after she had been reported missing to Essex Police.
‘We are currently assessing the available information to determine what further action may be required.’
The Kings College nursing student had secured a job at Guy’s and St Thomas’s health trust in London upon her graduation, but had fallen into a depression
The Met has issued several appeals for information over Ms Davies’ whereabouts and arrested five people – two on suspicion of murder and three on suspicion of kidnap – who were all later released on bail.
The force issued a fresh appeal at the beginning of this week, saying Ms Davies could be in Croydon and ‘in need of help’.
On Thursday, British Transport Police (BTP) tweeted that the 24-year-old could still regularly be taking trains, may appear dazed or confused and may be seeking to engage with women travelling alone.
BTP wrote: ‘We know Owami Davies, 24, regularly uses the rail and tube network to travel from Grays, Essex to the Croydon area. Often via West Ham and West Croydon stations. @metpoliceuk are looking at dates from 7th July 2022 onwards.
‘Owami may still be regularly travelling by rail in a vulnerable state, appearing dazed or confused and possibly seeking to engage with other lone female travellers.’
The Met added: ‘Owami has been depressed and in the absence of her medication may use alcohol to relieve her depression.’
Members of the public have reported a number of potential sightings of the 24-year-old in the Croydon area and police have been scouring thousands of hours of CCTV trying to verify whether the sightings were her.
The PA news agency has contacted the IOPC and Essex Police for comment.