Callum Hargreaves

Sanctuary

Sanctuary Housing Association

Chamber Court
Castle Street
Worcester
Mr Andrew Cox WR1 32Q
Cornwall Coroner's Service
Pydar House
Pydar Street
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 1XU
Ce
11 July 2025

Dear Mr Andrew Cox

We refer to your Prevention of Future Deaths Report made on 28 May 2025, under paragraph 7,
Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners
(Investigations) Regulations 2013, following the conclusion of your inquest into the death of Callum
Hargreaves ("Callum"), who died on 20 January 2024 at the age of 32 (“the PFD”). You recorded the
cause of death as 1(a) Multiple Injuries and came to a conclusion that Callum died by way of suicide.

The PFD is addressed to Sanctuary Housing which is the trading name of Sanctuary Housing
Association, a Registered Society as defined in section one of the Co-Operative and Community Benefit
Societies Act 2014 (Registration Number 19059R) ("Sanctuary"). Sanctuary is a not-for-profit
Registered Social Landlord with the Regulator of Social Housing (Registration number LO247).

In the first instance, on behalf of everyone at Sanctuary, we would like to extend our deepest heartfelt
condolences to Callum’s loved ones and family at what has been and continues to be an incredibly
difficult time for them.

Sanctuary’s mission is to build affordable homes and sustainable communities where people choose to
live. We are committed to continually learning to ensure that our policies and processes are appropriate
for the delivery of our mission.

No reference was made to Sanctuary receiving the PFD in your summing up at the inquest hearing, we
were therefore only on notice of the PFD on publication, on 6 June 2025.

Sanctuary thank you for providing this opportunity to reflect and respond.

Your specific concerns, relating to Sanctuary, are recorded in the PFD at Box 4. On Sanctuary’s reading
of the PFD, the primary concern presented in relation to Sanctuary’s policy approach to cuckooing. In
responding, we will provide detail of what informed Sanctuary’s approach in this matter. Through
consideration of Box 4 of the PFD and paragraphs 150 — 160 of your summing up, Sanctuary will also
provide detail of its housing management approach, including the role of its housing officers, in its
performance of its obligations as Callum’s landlord.

Cont'd

www.sanctuary.co.uk f 5) INVESTORS
‘2 IN PEOPLE

Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Registered office: Sanctuary House, Chamber Court, Castle Street, Worcester, WRI3ZQ

Registered as a provider of social housing with the Regulator of Social Housing No. L0247

Registered Society No. 19059R Printed on recycled paper

Sanctuary

Mr Andrew Cox
Cornwall Coroner's Service
11 July 2025

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Sanctuary’s response to concerns raised in the PFD:

Background to Property and Housing Management

14 Silverdale Court is a block of 10 self-contained one-bedroom flats, situated over three floors.
All tenants at Silverdale Court live independently as general needs, social housing tenants,
Sanctuary does not provide support or care services. Within this general needs context,
Sanctuary delivers the service of a social landlord in line with its policies, procedures and
processes. These policies aim to strike the right balance between Sanctuary’s role as a landlord
and allowing its residents to have independent quiet enjoyment of their homes.

1.2 Callum entered into a periodic Starter Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement with Sanctuary
which commenced on 21 January 2013 (“the Tenancy”). He lived at JM Silverdale Court,
(“the Property”). The Tenancy Agreement was signed on 18

anuary ;

1.3 Callum’s housing application came via Cornwall Home Choice (CHC). There was nothing in his
housing application which suggested general needs accommodation was not suitable on terms
such as the Tenancy. Callum’s application did not contain details or reference to drug or alcohol
dependency, medical conditions other than mental health concerns which meant he was treated
as a priority applicant, or additional support needs.

1.4 [EMM (SH) was the relevant Housing Officer employed by Sanctuary in
connection to the Property from September 2022. The previous housing officer and SH had a
handover. As part of that handover, SH was made aware of the background information in
relation to Callum and his flat.

1.5 The role of a Housing Officer includes being responsible for providing a quality housing service,
ensuring that tenancies are being conducted in a satisfactory way and making sure that our
properties are safe and attractive places to live. The role is varied and includes working with
the lettings team to allocate void properties, handling a range of situations including anti-social
behaviour (“ASB”), attending evictions, liaising with tenancy enforcement agencies, dealing
with complaints and co-ordinating tenancy terminations and changes and property clearance.
All Housing Officers are appropriately trained, including on matters of safeguarding. Our
housing officers are supported by a 24-hour customer contact hub and lettings and income
officers.

1.6 SH was responsible for around 400 properties across part of Cornwall. On occasions where
there were vacancies in the housing team SH (and other members of the team) would cover a
wider area whilst recruitment was undertaken. At the inquest SH made it clear that 80% of his
properties and tenants did not require specific attention as rent was paid on time, no housing
management issues were ongoing and raised repairs were completed. SH had sufficient
capacity to deal with those properties and tenants that required input.

Cont'd

Printed on recycled paper

Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Sanctuary

Mr Andrew Cox
Cornwall Coroner's Service
11 July 2025

Concerns About Cuckooing

1.7 It is understood that Police Constable EE 2nd the Devon &
Cornwall Constabulary interacted with or about Callum on numerous occasions between
February and July 2022 made clear to Callum that he and those he was associating
with were affecting the local community and residents.

1.8 [mace attempts to reassure Callum that he could help him get anyone out of his flat
who he did not want there. ,EEENas stated, in his witness statement to the Coroner, that:

"| was never able to provide any creditable evidence to support the various
claims that Callum was being Cuckooed. In fact, | concluded the view that he
wanted these people in his life at the time".

1.9 SH and [J had a number of meetings in connection to Callum and the Property. SH
only managed to meet with Callum on one occasion, although he had tried to engage with him
on several occasions on visiting the Property, often accompanied by the Police. Callum was
mostly absent from the Property when visited.

1.10 [J explicitly confirmed to SH that he did not think that Callum was being cuckooed. SH,
and Sanctuary, relied on the evidence of a qualified police constable in establishing that Callum
was not being ‘cuckooed’. That is to say, J) confirmation satisfied Sanctuary that
Callum and his Property were not being controlled or exploited for the commission of specified
criminal activity.

1.11. Where cuckooing is reported as taking place at a tenant's property, either the Police or
Sanctuary would make a referral to Social Services and there would be a multi-agency
approach to tackle the issue. However, in many cases, if a tenant is deemed to have mental
capacity and denies they are being cuckooed, there is limited action that could be taken, except
for the involvement of the Police regarding any criminal activity taking place at that Property.
Housing Officers are not trained nor qualified to assess mental capacity but if there were
concerns identified these would be raised to social services or similar.

Property Damage

1.12 On 20 June 2023, a property survey was conducted regarding aa Silverdale Court, and
concluded that the flat was in an unhabitable condition. On 2 July 2023, SH updated the records
to note that the Property was in a terrible condition and unsafe. The Property was made secure
through boarding and metal shutters were requested on an emergency order and these were
fitted on 4 July 2023.

1.13. The Police and Sanctuary had previously explored the potential of a Closure Order, arranging
to obtain a statement from Callum on 21 June 2023, however SH was unable to get in contact
with Callum on attendance to the Property.

Cont'd

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Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Sanctuary

Mr Andrew Cox
Cornwall Coroner's Service
11 July 2025

As

1.14 Callum was never forthcoming about the damage to his flat to Sanctuary. As the Coroner noted
in his summing up, the evidence as to whether Callum was being cuckooed was not entirely
clear at the time.

1.15 | Works required to the Property when void amounted to a cost of £11,275.62. This included
works required to repair and clean the Property to a lettable condition

1.16 The Tenancy included obligations for Callum as tenant to keep the property in reasonably clean
conditions and in good decorative order; to make good damage caused by himself or his
visitors, save for reasonable wear and tear; to carry out minor repairs; and to report any
disrepair or defect in the Property to Sanctuary (whether caused by the tenant or otherwise).

1.17 Sanctuary’s repair obligation as landlord specifically included provision that Sanctuary was not
responsible for repairs or replacements needed to the Property or fixtures, fittings or effects
because of neglect or damage caused by the tenant or visitors.

Temporary Accommodation

1.18 Although not required to do so, between 8 September 2023 until 21 November 2023, temporary
decant accommodation, booked on a weekly basis, was arranged for Callum by Sanctuary due
to the flat at Silverdale Court being uninhabitable. Sanctuary paid for this in the total cost of
£6,537.64.

1.19 The accommodation arranged for Callum was mostly at the Travelodge, Bodmin Roche, except
for the half-term holiday week in October 2023 when the accommodation was not available.
During this week, Callum stayed at the Premier Inn, Wadebridge, however due to his behaviour
towards staff, Callum was banned from staying there. On 29 November 2023, staff at the
Travelodge contacted Sanctuary to advise that drug paraphernalia had been found in Callum’s
room, therefore he had also been banned from staying there.

1.20 On 29 November 2023, a letter was sent to Callum (c/o his mother's address) to explain that
Sanctuary had been providing temporary accommodation whilst significant works were being
carried out at Silverdale Court. The letter advised that Sanctuary had been contacted by the
Travelodge and Premier Inn to advise they would no longer provide accommodation to Callum
due to acts contravening their booking terms and conditions. The letter confirmed that as a
result, Sanctuary Housing was no longer able to provide any further temporary accommodation.

1.21. On the advice of the Police that Callum was not being cuckooed, Sanctuary issued a Notice

Seeking Position on 4 January 2024 to begin the process of regaining possession of the
Property from Callum.

Cont'd

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Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Sanctuary

Mr Andrew Cox
Cornwall Coroner's Service
11 July 2025

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Safequarding/Multi-Agency Approach

1.22 | Sanctuary’s Safeguarding Adults - Group Procedure is clear that Sanctuary operate a multi-
agency approach to safeguarding adults. Sanctuary implements robust safeguarding
procedures to protect its tenants and residents from harm and ensure their well-being. These
procedures include reporting mechanisms, a commitment to partnership working with other
agencies, and a focus on prevention and protection. These procedures are regularly reviewed
and updated as required.

1.23 Inrelation to Callum, a safeguarding alert was raised by "We Are With You" in April 2023. That
resulted in a Section 42 Safeguarding inquiry, under the control of the Local Authority, which
Sanctuary cooperated and participated in. A total of seven safeguarding meetings were held
on 10 July 2023; 7 August 2023; 30 August 2023; 8 September 2023; 9 October 2023, 20
November 2023, 8 January 2024.

1.24 SH attended and fully engaged in five of those meetings, only being unable to attend on
07/08/2023 and 08/01/2024. The Safeguarding inquiry was always fully updated by SH,
including Sanctuary's intention to take possession of Callum's flat, (meetings held on
09/10/2023 and 20/11/2023). In addition, SH’s Area Manager also attended one of these
safeguarding meetings.

1.25 Sanctuary acknowledges the Coroner's confirmation that a multi-agency approach existed in
relation to this matter. Sanctuary can confirm that it will continue to exercise such an approach
in line with its existing detailed policies and procedures. Sanctuary is reliant on the provision of
relevant information from other agencies and acting in conjunction with them, will respond
appropriately.

1.26 On 8 July 2025, Sanctuary’s safeguarding lead had a conversation with the Chair of the local
Safeguarding Board (the Board”) involved with Callum. We asked whether a Safeguarding
Adults Review (“SAR’) was completed after Callum passed away. Following this prompt from
Sanctuary, the Board are now liaising with Cornwall Council on this issue to establish whether
a SAR has been undertaken to date. If a SAR is subsequently undertaken Sanctuary will take
it as an opportunity to collectively review and learn for the future to ensure a proactive multi-
agency approach.

1.27 In relation to the Coroner's advisory recommendations, in so far as these relate to Sanctuary,
we can assure the Family and the Coroner that as an organisation we take our responsibilities
extremely seriously and our focus and priorities are always directed towards the best interests
our tenants:

(a) Sanctuary is committed to an internal review following the Coroner's findings to identify
any improvements that can be made to our multi-agency approach to ASB and
cuckooing.

(b) Sanctuary will externally benchmark its policies and procedures against others in the
social housing sector and consider if a wider review of safeguarding policies and
procedures are required.

Cont'd

Printed on recycled paper

Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Sanctuary

Mr Andrew Cox
Cornwall Coroner's Service

11 July 2025
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(c) In line with Sanctuary’s existing ASB Action Plan we are already considering training
and additional guidance to complement existing policy and procedure around
safeguarding and cuckooing, this will be developed in liaison with external legal
advisors.

(d) In addition, Sanctuary’s safeguarding leads are working to develop specific additional

guidance for our front-line housing staff.

1.28 | Sanctuary welcomes the Crime and Policing Bill which, if passed into legislation, will create a
new bespoke criminal offence to help tackle cuckooing activity. It is understood that this will
include guidance on cuckooing, including information on how police and partners can support
and safeguard victims of cuckooing. Sanctuary will ensure said guidance is reviewed to inform
its continued multi-agency approach to tackling cuckooing.

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity