The IOPC received a February referral from Suffolk Police about complaints over the original 1999 investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall and advised the force to carry out an internal probe. Suffolk Police say that investigation "remains ongoing" five months after the watchdog's recommendation. The case was reopened in 2019; serial killer Steve Wright was charged in 2024 and in February admitted Hall's kidnap and murder, receiving a 40-year sentence. The complaint relates to alleged initial investigative failings, evidence disclosure and post-acquittal comments; the complainant can ask the IOPC for a review if unhappy with the outcome.
Five Months After Watchdog Urged Review, Suffolk Police Probe Into Victoria Hall Case Remains Ongoing
Victoria Hall disappeared in 1999 following a night out in Felixstowe [Suffolk Constabulary]
Suffolk Police have not yet completed an internal inquiry into how they handled the original 1999 investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, five months after a watchdog recommended a review.
In February the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it had received a referral from Suffolk Police about complaints connected to the initial inquiry into Hall's killing. The IOPC advised that the force's professional standards department examine any potential failings following the 2001 acquittal of Adrian Bradshaw.
In an update to the BBC, Suffolk Police said the internal investigation "remains ongoing." The statement came after serial killer Steve Wright was sentenced in February to 40 years at the Old Bailey for the kidnap and murder of Victoria Hall.
The IOPC said the referral covered three main areas: the force's original investigation, the disclosure of evidence during subsequent criminal proceedings, and comments made by the force after Bradshaw's acquittal. It added that it had decided an investigation into the complaint was required and that Suffolk Police should carry it out.
Steve Wright (left, in a picture issued in 2008, and right, in a picture issued in February 2026) admitted to the murder and kidnapping of Victoria Hall [PA Media]
"We have decided an investigation into the complaint is required and that the force should carry it out," the IOPC said. "We also noted that the force appeared to be treating the matter seriously, having apologised to the man and advising him of his right to make a complaint. The complainant will have a right of review to the IOPC should they be dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation."
Victoria Hall disappeared near her home in Trimley St Mary after a night out in Felixstowe. Her body was discovered five days later in a ditch at Creeting St Peter, around 25 miles (40 km) away.
The original inquiry into her death was reopened in 2019 and Wright was charged in 2024. At the time of the recent proceedings, Wright was already serving a whole-life sentence for the 2006 murders of five women in Ipswich.
In February Wright admitted Hall's kidnap and murder and the attempted kidnap of 22-year-old Emily Doherty the night before Hall vanished; the judge imposed an additional 40-year term for those convictions. Suffolk Police and the IOPC have reiterated that the force will investigate the complaint and that the complainant may request an IOPC review if dissatisfied with the outcome.
Why this matters: The lingering internal review, and questions about historic investigative decisions and evidence disclosure, are significant for public confidence in policing. The outcome of the probe could lead to changes in procedure and accountability around long-running and reopened cold cases.
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