NORTH Wales Police has been told to improve the way it responds to domestic abuse claims following the death of a Penygroes mother.

Emma Baum, 22, was beaten to death with a crowbar and found in the garden of her home in Penygroes in July 2016 after suffering catastrophic head injuries.

Her ex-partner David Davies from Clynnog Fawr, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 22 years for her murder in November 2016.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has examined the case and looked at contact between Ms Baum and North Wales Police.

The report found that the victim had first contacted the police in April 2016 to report she had been assaulted by Davies on three occasions.

The information collated by the investigation suggested that the earlier unreported incidents were not then investigated or considered as part of risk assessment processes.

On 30 May 2016, Miss Baum reported that Davies had stolen her dog but the incident log was closed as this was considered to be a ‘civil matter’.

Miss Baum’s mother alleged that on Sunday, 17 July 2016 that she informed two officers that she was concerned for her daughter’s safety because of threats made by Davies.

The two officers however said they could not recall the conversation, according to the report.

Finally, the investigation also looked at a call made by a member of the public on Monday, 18 July 2016 reporting the sound of a woman screaming.

Two officers attended and drove around but could see nothing of concern and left the area but Miss Baum was found dead later that morning in her back garden, which was not visible from the road.

In the investigator’s opinion the officers did ‘carefully consider the information’ and their action was ‘proportionate’.

In light of their reviews, the IPCC has handed North Wales Police a list of recommendations for improving their service provision.

In addition to the recommendations, the force also agreed that three officers had cases to answer for misconduct, which were not proven at subsequent disciplinary meetings held by North Wales Police in November 2017.

One of these officers was subsequently given informal management action to improve performance, as were a further two police constables, a police sergeant and a call handler.

IPCC operations manager Melanie Palmer said: “My thoughts are again with the family and friends of Miss Baum following her tragic death.

“Our investigation found a number of areas where North Wales Police could improve their service for vulnerable victims of domestic abuse.

“I welcome the force’s acceptance of the learning recommendations and hope this achieves improvements in policy and practice in this difficult area of policing.”

North Wales Police’s deputy chief constable Gareth Pritchard said: “I would like to express my sympathies to the family and friends of Miss Baum after what has been an extremely difficult time for them.

“Police officers do a difficult job and quite rightly come under the highest level of scrutiny. The IPCC’s recommendations have been carefully considered and people can be confident that we have put measures in place to address them.”

North Wales police and crime commissioner Arfon Jones added: “Tackling domestic abuse is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan and it is something I take very seriously. It is a hideous crime and a scourge on society.

“I welcome the recommendations contained in the report of the IPCC following their investigation.

“Improvements in the force’s response to domestic abuse have already been made after the IPCC shared their findings with the force last July and I have been working with the chief constable to ensure the recommendations are implemented fully.”