Two officers investigated over Simon Levy murders in ̶ two women killed while he was on bail

Two Metropolitan Police officers are under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct over their handling of Simon Levy, who murdered two women while on bail. Levy, 40, of Tottenham, was convicted at the Old Bailey on 8 August of the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, along with two rapes, grievous bodily harm with intent, and non-fatal suffocation.

What the IOPC is investigating

The IOPC confirmed its investigation began in January 2025 following a voluntary conduct referral from the Metropolitan Police. A police constable is under a gross misconduct investigation; a detective sergeant is under a misconduct investigation. The watchdog stated that issuing these notices does not guarantee disciplinary proceedings will follow.

The IOPC is examining whether officers involved in Levy’s management followed policies, procedures, and training over a four-year period, from his first sexual assault conviction in September 2021 to his arrest in September 2025. The watchdog is also assessing whether learning or changes should be implemented as a result of the events under investigation.

Failures acknowledged by police and prosecutors

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth acknowledged that failures to remand Levy in custody during court hearings in May and June 2025 left him free to commit further offences. British Transport Police confirmed two of its officers have been moved to other roles due to incompetence in handling investigations into Levy’s transport-related assaults.

Lisa Ramsarran, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the CPS’s actions fell short of the standards victims and families are entitled to expect. She stated that the CPS could and should have taken a more robust approach to representations about bail, based on the information available.

Calls for a multi-agency review

Victims’ Commissioner for London Andrea Simons called for a multi-agency review of the handling of Levy. She told BBC Breakfast that public services must improve at recognising patterns of offending before attackers become emboldened. Simons highlighted a lack of restrictions and failures in monitoring Levy as areas requiring answers.

Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was murdered by a man with a history of sex crimes, described the case as a catalogue of disasters. She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Levy’s pattern of offending was evident and that precursor offences could have been used to stop him. Squire stated that the current message appears to be that women’s safety is not a priority.

What happens next

Levy is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 12 August. The IOPC investigation remains ongoing, with no timescale given for its conclusion. The Metropolitan Police has not stated whether the officers under investigation remain in their roles. The IOPC has not confirmed whether its findings will be made public.