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Police Watchdog Opens Probe Into Avon and Somerset After Bristol House Explosion

The IOPC will review five years of force records to assess whether safeguarding procedures or risk assessments failed before the May 3 deaths.

Overview

  • A blast at a house on Sterncourt Road, Frenchay, on May 3 killed Jo Shaw, 35, and her former partner Ryan Kelly, 41, and left three others with minor injuries.
  • On Tuesday the Independent Office for Police Conduct began an early-stage investigation into Avon and Somerset Police’s prior contact with the two victims covering May 2021 to May 2026.
  • The watchdog said police last spoke to Ms Shaw four days before the explosion and will examine whether incidents were properly resourced, progressed and risk assessed.
  • IOPC director Derrick Campbell said there is a significant history of police involvement over allegations about Mr Kelly, including stalking, harassment and assault, which the inquiry will review.
  • Avon and Somerset Police treat the blast as deliberate and have recorded Ms Shaw’s death as a homicide; inquests are open and due to resume in August while the IOPC investigation continues and will update interested parties.