Police 'drove past' victim's home

An investigation is under way after it was revealed police were called to the house of a murder victim 17 hours before his body was found.

Ian Pick, 56, was discovered stabbed to death at his home in the Old Swan area of Liverpool on Monday afternoon.

A neighbour had called 999 on Sunday night reporting banging noises at the house. Police drove to the house, but found it in darkness and left.

A 15-year-old boy is being questioned on suspicion of murder.

Murder investigation

A social worker found Mr Pick stabbed to death on Monday afternoon and called police.

Merseyside Police says it is looking into the earlier police visit as part of the murder investigation.

A spokeswoman said: "The banging had ceased half an hour before the caller rang and at the time of the call the neighbour was unsure if there was anybody at home.

"A patrol later attended and found the house in darkness."

Jane Kennedy, MP for Wavertree, has expressed concerns about the delayed response and says he has spoken to Merseyside's chief constable.

The force's assistant chief constable Bernard Lawson said: "We are in the middle of a murder investigation, and clearly our priority is to find those who are responsible for Mr Pick's death.

"We have a youth currently being questioned and as such it is inappropriate to comment on this further. "However, an investigation into all aspects of events that have taken place at Cunningham Road prior to the finding of Mr Pick's body is under way."