Two BTP detectives referred to watchdog after Simon Levy murders

Two detectives from British Transport Police have been referred to the policing watchdog over their investigation of sexual assaults on the London Underground that preceded the murders of two women by Simon Levy. The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it received the referral on 12 August 2025, two days after Levy was sentenced to a whole-life order at the Old Bailey.

Levy, 40, was arrested by BTP in November 2024 after assaulting two women on Tube trains in October 2024. He was bailed to return to custody in January 2025, then had his bail extended twice until May 2025. During that period, he committed further sexual assaults, a violent rape in January 2025, and the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins in August 2025.

BTP seeks independent scrutiny

British Transport Police described the referral as voluntary and said it was made in the public interest. A force spokesperson told the BBC: "It's in the public interest for independent and objective scrutiny to be applied, and we will fully co-operate with the IOPC's independent investigation."

The IOPC said the referral relates to the BTP investigation into the two sexual assaults in October 2024. An IOPC spokesperson stated: "During this period, Levy committed multiple further sexual assaults on trains, and other serious offences including murder and rape."

Failings acknowledged by multiple agencies

Following Levy’s sentencing, the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and the Crown Prosecution Service admitted to significant shortcomings in the case. The BBC reported that these agencies acknowledged failures in the handling of Levy’s bail and the subsequent offences he committed while released.

Levy was already a registered sex offender at the time of the October 2024 assaults. His criminal history included a 2018 conviction for sexual assault, for which he received a suspended sentence. The circumstances of his bail extensions and the decision-making process behind them will form part of the IOPC’s investigation.

What happens next

The IOPC will now determine the scope of its investigation and whether to conduct a full inquiry. The watchdog has not indicated a timeline for its findings. British Transport Police stated it will provide full cooperation throughout the process.

Residents affected by the case or with information relevant to the IOPC investigation can contact the watchdog directly via its website or by telephone. The IOPC has not yet published details of how to submit evidence.