The Bichard Inquiry was launched in December 2003, following the conviction of Ian Huntley for the Soham murders. Huntley had murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, despite having been the subject of past allegations of sexual offenses. The inquiry, led by Sir Michael Bichard, focused on how Huntley was able to obtain employment as a school caretaker despite these concerning allegations and examined wider failures in police vetting procedures.

Key Findings

The inquiry uncovered serious weaknesses in police information-sharing. Huntley had previously been investigated by Humberside Police for allegations involving underage girls, yet no convictions were recorded. Because his name did not appear in the national Police National Computer (PNC) as a known offender, his background check for employment at Soham Village College came back clean. The inquiry found that different police forces did not properly record or share information about individuals with troubling histories, allowing offenders to slip through the system undetected.

Recommendations & Reforms

The Bichard Inquiry Report, published in June 2004, proposed sweeping reforms to vetting systems, police intelligence-sharing, and child protection laws. Among its key recommendations:

1. Introduction of a Single National Vetting System – The inquiry led to the establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), which later evolved into the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in 2012. This system ensures that individuals working with children and vulnerable people undergo thorough background checks.

2. Mandatory Vetting for School Staff – All employees in education, healthcare, and social services must now be subjected to stricter DBS checks to prevent individuals with past offenses from securing positions of trust.

3. Police Intelligence Improvements – The inquiry called for better recording, processing, and sharing of police intelligence across forces, ensuring that past allegations, even without convictions, can be flagged in background checks.

4. Training for Police and Employers – Authorities were required to improve training programs for handling vetting requests and understanding which information should be disclosed in background checks.

Impact & Legacy

The Bichard Inquiry led to fundamental changes in UK safeguarding laws and vetting procedures. The creation of the DBS system is considered one of the most significant child protection reforms in British history. Today, employers across education, health, and social care rely on DBS checks to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable