The tragic circumstances of a 22-year-old man’s suicide have led to a call for a review of police procedures for gaining entry to properties.

Coroner of Inquests Jayne Hughes has made a series of recommendations after hearing it took the police 18 minutes to get into the Port Erin home of Shane Paul Fayle.

Two officers had arrived in response to an emergency call from Mr Fayle’s estranged partner, Chloe Hamer.

Eventually, a brick was used to smash a rear window of the property in Marashen Crescent.

Mr Fayle was found dead inside.

Mrs Hughes said that although the delay was distressing for Ms Hamer, for Mr Fayle’s family and the officers in attendance it did not contribute to his death.

But she said there were failures that must be addressed.

Mrs Hughes said: ’There can be nothing worse for an officer to attend promptly at an address where they know, or reasonably suspect, a person’s life might be in danger for whatever reason, only to be unable to gain access due to poor advice or lack of suitable equipment.

’It is of obvious concern that the officers in attendance either did not have, or did not have immediate access to, equipment to allow them to gain swift access to 15 Marashen Crescent.

’It is also of concern that neither officer had checked their vehicle to identify which equipment was present and that Sergeant De Backer, in the control room, did not know what equipment was in either vehicle or, indeed, any vehicle on patrol that night.’

She said it was ’of concern’ that neither officer who gave evidence had checked their vehicle or received training on methods of entry.

’Whilst I have found that the delay in gaining access to 15 Marashen Crescent did not cause or contribute to Shane’s death, in other circumstances it might have done so,’ said Mrs Hughes.

Superintendent Steve Maddocks said the force was aware of the findings and awaiting official recommendations from the coroner.

He told the Manx Independent: ’The constabulary will implement the recommendations in full. Work was already being done late last year to address some of the issues that have been highlighted by the coroner.

’It is important to note that the coroner also stated that from the evidence she reviewed that, on balance, Mr Fayle was already likely to have been dead when the police arrived on scene and that nothing more could be done by the officers in attendance.

’She also noted that any delay in entering the premises did not contribute in any way to Mr Fayle’s death.’

Shane Fayle committed suicide on August 13, 2020.

He had a history of involvement with the Mental Health Services Drug and Alcohol Team from September 2015 until his death, and a diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorder.

Mrs Hughes said she was satisfied the team had done all they could to support Mr Fayle. Evidence was given, and supported by Ms Hamer, of his love for and pride in his children and his desire to be a good father.

On the night of his death, Ms Hamer was so concerned about his mental health she drove to his address and called the police.

More than 30 minutes passed between her call and the officers gaining entry.

They found Mr Fayle and neither officer noticed any sign of life during their resuscitation attempts before the arrival of a paramedic, who administered advanced life support for 27 minutes before declaring life extinct.

The coroner said Mr Fayle was not capable of being revived by the time the first officer arrived in Marashen Crescent.

Mrs Hughes said: ’For the reasons given it is not open to me to return a verdict that his death by suicide was contributed to by neglect. The correct verdict and the one which I return is suicide.’

The coroner is recommending:

lA general review of all methods of entry equipment (MOEE) held by the police force and, if there is insufficient equipment, consideration given to purchasing more.

lGiving control room supervising officers the means to ascertain whether MOEE is in any vehicle on patrol at a particular time, and the location in the vehicle of that equipment.

lConsidering securing MOEE to avoid it moving out of sight and/or reach during transit.

lKeeping a record in each vehicle of what equipment should be present and the location of it.

lRequiring police officers to check they have sufficient equipment an accessible and clearly marked place.

lAll officers being trained in the use of MOEE as soon as practicable.