Francecca Hardwick and Fiona Pilkington (pics: PA)
Francecca Hardwick and Fiona Pilkington (pics: PA)
Four police officers who failed to stop a gang terrorising a mum into killing herself and her daughter are to keep their jobs.

Investigators yesterday ruled police should have done more to protect vulnerable Fiona Pilkington, 38, and disabled Francecca Hardwick, 18.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed an inspector, sergeant and two constables will be investigated and face a disciplinary hearing in the coming weeks. But Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “The recommendation of the independent investigation is not that their jobs are at jeopardy – they face misconduct meetings and that means that losing their jobs is not a sanction available.”

Ms Pilkington and Francecca endured 10 years of abuse by thugs who taunted them and threw stones, eggs and flour at their home in Barwell, Leics.

The IPCC report lists 33 recorded incidents between 1997 and 2007 when the family complained to officers.

In desperation, Ms Pilkington torched her Austin Maestro in a layby while she and Francecca sat inside in October 2007. Commenting on the 180-page report, IPCC commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: “Fiona, her mother, neighbours and MP contacted the police to inform them about her predicament.

“Yet no one person gripped these reports and took charge to oversee what should have been a targeted response.

“Police missed several opportunities to take robust action, inadequately ­investigated criminal allegations on occasions and failed to record information on their intelligence system.”

Fiona’s former neighbours yesterday said nothing much has changed three-and-a-half years after the deaths.

Wendy Woodley, 51 said: “Police won’t come out unless it’s a life threatening situation. We don’t feel safe here.”