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Suffolk Police
Victoria Hall was last seen just yards from her house in Trimley St Mary, near Felixstowe, before she disappeared in 1999
A watchdog has told a police force it should investigate its handling of the initial Victoria Hall murder inquiry between 1999 and 2001.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had received a referral from Suffolk Police of complaints related to its investigation into the murder of the 17-year-old in 1999.
Serial killer Steve Wright was sentenced to 40 years last month for the kidnap and murder at the Old Bailey in London.
The IOPC said the force's referral related to its initial investigation, when a man was acquitted of the murder in 2001, and it had advised the force that its professional standards department should investigation any failings.
"In February 2026, we received a referral from Suffolk Constabulary of complaints relating to its investigation into the murder of Victoria Hall in 1999, which resulted in a man being arrested and charged," an IOPC spokesperson said.
"The complaints relate to the force's investigation, disclosure of evidence during criminal proceedings, and comments made by the force following the man's acquittal in 2001.
"We decided that an investigation into the complaints is required and that this should be carried out by the force's professional standards department to identify any failings from between 1999 - 2001.
"We also noted that the force appeared to be treating the matter seriously having apologised to the man and advising him of his right to make a complaint.
"The complainant will have a right of review to the IOPC should they be dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation."
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