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Staffordshire Police officers cleared of wrong-doing after claims they scattered a child's ashes during a Cannock raid

Officers accused of scattering a dead child's ashes whilst searching a bedroom for stolen property have 'no case to answer', a police watchdog has confirmed.

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Chelsea Wright.

Chelsea Wright, aged 24 and from Rugeley, alleged that a memory bear containing the ashes of her 10-month-old son Nathan, who died in 2014, was opened by Staffordshire Police investigators during a raid on her partner's address in Cannock on June 27.

She claimed she subsequently found ashes among the furnishings of the bedroom and lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Now after reviewing body worn camera footage and police documents the IPCC has ruled out any wrong-doing by officers.

The watchdog's investigator concluded that officers believed the bear was a microwaveable warmer and were unaware that it contained ashes.

The police constable who subsequently spilled some of the contents thought he had replaced them all but admitted he did not tell anyone about it.

The IPCC’s investigator also concluded that there was no evidence that the officer who allegedly covered up what happened was aware of the memory bear or any damage caused to it.

IPCC Operations Manager Steve Bimson said: “Clearly this investigation involved some very emotive issues and we fully recognise the distress this has caused Ms Wright. However our investigator concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that any of the officers involved realised the significance of the memory bear or knew what it contained.”

In response to the finding, Deputy Chief Constable at Staffordshire Police, Nick Baker, said: “I acknowledge this was an unfortunate and upsetting incident for Ms Wright after the tragic loss of her son, Nathan, in 2014.

"It is clear, however, that the officers did not know the contents of the teddy bear and were simply carrying out our legitimate duties to search the property.

“During the search, officers were made aware of other items sensitive to the memory of Ms Wright’s son and these were not disturbed.

"This is supported by body worn video footage which we supplied to the IPCC during their investigation.

"The investigation has now concluded and the IPCC report clarifies that our officers did nothing wrong."