HOW a dangerous sex offender was allowed to go on the run in West Somerset is to be investigated by police watchdogs.

Richard Scatchard, aged 70, disappeared after a woman with whom he was in a relationship was found dead in his Minehead flat last October.

Police attended the incident in the early hours of October 15 and spoke to Scatchard but then left and returned the following afternoon, by which time he had vanished.

They later announced they wanted to question Scatchard in connection with a murder inquiry launched into the death of the woman, Kelly Faiers, aged 61, from Weston-super-Mare.

Police were aware when they first spoke to Scatchard that he had been released from a life prison sentence for a series of sex crimes against woman and other offences but officers did not detain him.

A recent photograph of Richard Scatchard.
A recent photograph of Richard Scatchard. (Police handout)

Now, Avon and Somerset Constabulary has voluntarily referred its handling of the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A police spokesperson said the referral followed a complaint from Ms Faiers’ family ‘in respect to the police response’.

The spokesperson said: “We continue to conduct searches to find Richard Scatchard, who is wanted on a prison recall and who we wish to speak to in connection with the death of Kelly Faiers in Minehead in October.

“We have made a number of public appeals and a Crimestoppers reward remains live for information that could lead to his arrest.

“We urge anybody with information about his whereabouts to contact us.

“As previously stated, Scatchard is considered a risk to the public, specifically women he forms relationships with.

Police say wanted man Richard Scatchard is a danger to women.
Police say wanted man Richard Scatchard is a danger to women. (A&SP)

“He is a regular user of dating apps and has previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to his victims to enable his crimes.

“We have received a large number of reported sightings of Scatchard since he was last seen on the morning of Monday, October 16. 

“These have been reviewed, but none have been confirmed.

“The National Crime Agency has been supporting our efforts to locate Scatchard by providing specialist advice to help us develop our continuing search plans in a bid to find him.

“Kelly's death continues to be treated as a murder inquiry at this time.

“Family liaison officers are in regular contact with her family to keep them updated and to provide support.

“Our professional standards department was made aware of the incident and our response is at an early stage and we will assist the IOPC in any way we can in relation to the complaint received.”

Police have warned that anybody who spots Scatchard should not approach him but instead call 999 and provide the call handler with the reference 5223259285.

Scatchard, who speaks with a Scottish accent, has been known to also use the name ‘Richard Dunlop’.

Wanted man Richard Scatchard, whom police say is a danger to women.
Wanted man Richard Scatchard, whom police say is a danger to women. (A&SP)

He is described as white, about 5 ft 11 ins tall, of average build, with short grey hair, and normally clean shaven, although police said his appearance could have changed since he was last seen.

Crimestoppers, which is a charity independent of the police, has put up a £10,000 reward for anybody who provides it with information that helps to catch Scatchard.

People can contact the charity online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111 at any time of day or night.

The reward offer will be available until March 6, after which it will expire.

A reward code must be requested when telephoning the charity or if contact is via the online form, the ‘keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code requested.