Alfie Steele’s Tragic End Highlights Systemic Failures Despite Over 60 Calls to Police and Social Services
Police and social services reportedly missed numerous opportunities to intervene and safeguard nine-year-old Alfie Steele before he tragically lost his life at the hands of his mother, Carla Scott, and her partner, Dirk Howell.
A safeguarding report released on Friday revealed a series of incidents that were not appropriately addressed, despite more than 60 calls for help to authorities in the lead-up to the schoolboy’s death in February 2021.
Alfie, who had been living in Droitwich, died over three years after his family had moved to Worcestershire, and he was placed under a child protection plan. Concerns were raised when his mother entered into a relationship with Dirk Howell, prompting worries from family and neighbors about Howell’s criminal history, aggression, shouting at Alfie, and cannabis use. Despite implementing a safety plan, Alfie’s mother maintained that she did not believe Howell posed a risk to her or her son, reported Wales Online.
Despite numerous calls expressing concerns from neighbors and reports from Alfie’s school about the child being hungry and facing welfare risks, Alfie remained in the family home. Tragically, he died after enduring “sadistic” punishments, including being held underwater and subjected to beatings. At the time of his death, Alfie had more than 50 injuries on his body. In June 2023, Dirk Howell was found guilty of murder, and Carla Scott was convicted of manslaughter.
The Worcestershire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership’s report acknowledged the involvement of professionals from various agencies with the family over an extended period. However, it highlighted that these efforts were often hampered by the deliberate deception, lies, and cover-ups orchestrated by the adults involved.
Freedom of Information requests by the BBC revealed that Worcestershire County Council received 36 concerns about Alfie’s welfare between 2018 and 2020, while West Mercia Police were contacted 28 times during the same period.
West Mercia Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones expressed condolences to Alfie’s family and communities affected, emphasizing the immeasurable loss. She outlined actions taken, including enhanced training for officers, an ongoing independent review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and a commitment to improving safeguarding measures based on the recommendations of the review.
The tragic abuse suffered by Alfie remains irreversible, with authorities pledging ongoing efforts to prevent harm and enhance child protection measures.