Police Delay in Launching Criminal Probe into UK Contaminated Blood Scandal

The Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, issued its final report in May 2024, concluding that the NHS-supplied blood disaster—where more than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C—was “largely avoidable”. The inquiry labelled the tragedy a “calamity” caused by a “catalogue of failures” across successive governments, the NHS and medical professionals. It also uncovered that children at Lord Mayor Treloar College, a school for disabled children in Alton, Hampshire, were subjected to non-consensual medical trials in the 1970s-80s, with staff prioritising research over patient welfare.

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• Nationwide impact: >30,000 infected; >=3,000 deaths.

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• Treloar College: ~380 pupils infected with HIV and hepatitis C; >80 of those pupils died.

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• Haemophiliac boys: 122 recruited to the school; >80 believed to have died because of inadequate care.

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• Compensation: Government pledged £12 billion, including up to £60,000 for those experimented on as children.

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Acting Deputy Chief Constable Robert Griffin (Nottinghamshire Police), leading a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) review, said police first examined “specific events” at Treloar College to assess the viability of a criminal investigation. After consulting the Crown Prosecution Service and gathering locally held information, the NPCC determined a broader review is required, extending the timeline for any decision. Police have written to survivors apologising for the delay in confirming whether a criminal probe will proceed. The government, responding to the inquiry’s findings, confirmed the £12 billion compensation package but has not announced any criminal proceedings.

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Survivors describe the delay as a “kick in the teeth” and a “living nightmare”, arguing that time is running out for prosecutions given infections occurred in the 1970s-80s. They note that other UK scandals—such as the Post Office Horizon case—have already triggered criminal investigations, heightening frustration over perceived inaction in the blood scandal.

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• “This is a living nightmare for the families of the 122 haemophiliac boys that were recruited to the school in the 1970s and 80s, of which more than 80 were, I believe, murdered because of the lack of care.” — Gary Webster, 60, former pupil

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• “Dying victims have been lied to, grieving parents and loved ones treated with contempt, and survivors, like me, still seen as ‘an ill-educated cripple’ not deserving of justice or respect.” — Mark Ward, 55, haemophilia survivor

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• “I want to acknowledge, openly and without reservation, that this additional delay, while necessary to ensure the review is thorough and defensible, is both deeply regrettable and understandably difficult.” — Robert Griffin, Acting Deputy Chief Constable, Nottinghamshire Police

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• “It is absolutely unacceptable for the police to effectively ignore the wrongdoing which the government are clearly admitting to with their blood money.” — Mark Ward

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The inquiry provides a national infection figure of >30,000 but only estimates “around 380” infections at Treloar College, leaving the precise number of affected pupils unclear. No individual has yet been charged, and the timeline for a definitive decision on criminal proceedings remains unspecified.

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A national memorial for victims will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, drawing public attention to the unresolved justice issue. The NPCC has announced a broader review of the inquiry’s findings; following that review, a decision on whether to launch a criminal investigation will be made. Survivors continue to press for accountability while awaiting the outcome of the police review.

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