Family told to call locksmith over mental health fears

The police watchdog has criticised a force after call handlers told a family raising mental health concerns to ring a locksmith.

On 6 August 2025, Hobie Harrison's parents called Norfolk Police to request a welfare check after he failed to respond to them. He was found dead the next day.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the force's 101 call handlers should have referred the family to mental health services, but instead suggested they contacted a locksmith.