The Slough Safeguarding Partnership review found authorities missed chances to protect 19-year-old Temur Qureshi, who repeatedly said he feared for his life and asked to be rehoused outside Slough. Qureshi, who suffered a severe assault in July 2022 that left him with a brain injury, was killed in September 2023. The review highlights failures to consider him a safeguarding victim, notes a youth worker's rehousing request was refused, and calls for greater investment in prevention and youth services.
Report Finds 'Missed Opportunities' To Protect Teen Who Feared For His Life
Temur Qureshi, 19, was stabbed to death in Slough in 2023 [Qureshi family]
A review for the Slough Safeguarding Partnership has concluded that 19-year-old Temur Qureshi repeatedly told professionals he feared for his life and asked to be moved out of Slough, but agencies failed to act on his requests. Qureshi was fatally stabbed in the town in September 2023.
Key Findings
The social services inquiry records that Qureshi — identified in the review as "A" — believed remaining in Slough put him at risk. He had been receiving support after a violent assault at Feltham Young Offender Institution in July 2022, when five teenagers attacked him. He was airlifted to hospital with a poor initial prognosis, and the resulting brain injury left him forgetful and dependent on constant care.
"He was living in fear and no-one was listening to him. He was very afraid that he would be killed, and he told many people this... He wanted a place outside of Slough as he did not feel safe here," said Qureshi's mother to investigators.
Reviewers found that a youth worker had tried to support Qureshi's request to be rehoused outside the town, but the council's housing department refused to facilitate the move. The report states Qureshi "was not considered as a victim or as an adult needing safeguarding although all partners now agree that he was both."
Temur's mother, Tatiana Qureshi, said: "No-one was listening to him" [BBC]
Missed Interventions
The review concluded there were "several missed opportunities" to build constructive relationships with both Qureshi and his eventual attacker, Jack Patterson, which might have led to better support, improved risk management and potentially prevented further harm. Patterson was later convicted and jailed for manslaughter.
Recommendations
The report calls for better responsiveness to residents' housing wishes, needs and risk factors in Slough. It urges more investment in prevention and early support services — with a particular emphasis on youth work — as a way to reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies.
In June, a film titled A Letter From Temur, featuring his reflections on life before his death, was screened in Slough as part of local efforts to remember him and to prompt discussion about safeguarding young people.
The Slough Safeguarding Partnership compiled the review and set out recommendations aimed at improving local safeguarding and housing responses for vulnerable young people.
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