Security measures have been stepped up at a Bradford care home for the elderly after an intruder kidnapped a bedridden woman and raped her in the grounds.
Bosses of Anchor Trust, which runs Springfield care home in Western Way, Buttershaw, have liaised with police, Bradford Council protection officers and industry watchdogs to protect residents.
The T&A can reveal the home was given guidance on security measures following an inspection – three months after Dale Boocock abducted the 86-year-old resident – and the situation continues to be monitored.
Boocock, 19, was locked up indefinitely by a judge last week and branded a serious danger to the public who might never be released. Staff at the home found her laying on the grass after the attack. The woman’s health deteriorated and she died two months later.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, said the Springfield home was rated as good, had informed them of the incident and taken action to address security issues.
A CQC spokesman said it had carried out a random inspection in December to look at security there.
A spokesman said: “As a result, a number of recommendations with regard to good practice were made and, after a follow-up meeting, the home provided information to show these had been made.”
Moira Wilson, strategic director of Bradford Council’s adult and community services, said they had been working to “ensure all appropriate actions have been taken by the care home to mitigate future risk to residents and to learn the lessons needed to prevent such a terrible incident happening again”.
The Council said Springfield had complied with all requirements.
Anchor area manager Louise Gibson reassured residents their safety was paramount. She said: “The police investigation did not establish how Boocock gained entry. There were alarms and locks on all external doors and security checks were in place.
“We have looked closely at our procedures following the incident and have increased our checks to every two hours. We have also sought the advice of police on what further security measures we could take and will be installing CCTV as an additional precaution.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hoyle, who led the police investigation, said: “We have worked with staff at the nursing home and with the adult protection unit and a number of measures have been taken to increase security at the home.”
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