Schoolgirl's parents back liaison plans

Schoolgirl's parents back liaison plans

Nikki Conroy died nine years ago on Friday

The parents of a 12-year-old girl stabbed to death at her school nine years ago are backing proposals to involve the relatives of victims in the training of family liaison officers.

Nikki Conroy died when she was stabbed in a classroom at Hall Garth School, in Middlesbrough, on 28 March 1994.

Her parents, Peter and Diane, have been involved with Teesside's Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) group.

Cleveland Police are looking at drafting members of SAMM to help train its family liaison officers.

The proposal was outlined at SAMM's first conference at Cleveland Police Headquarters this week.

Ann Ming, whose daughter Julie Hogg was murdered in Middlesbrough in 1989, is a founder member of SAMM and also backed the plan.

Secure hospital

She said: "It would give senior investigating officers and family liaison officers a look at what it's like on the other side of the fence from the victim's family's viewpoint."

Mr Conroy said he thought the system had potential but he wanted the police to screen candidates carefully.

"Obviously, anyone who has lost a loved one haven't all got the same personalities and don't react in the same way.

"I think the police would have to have a word with [the candidates] interviewing them and try to work out whether they would have the right approach."

Stephen James Wilkinson was convicted of the manslaughter of Nikki with diminished responsibility in December 1995 and locked up indefinitely in a secure hospital.