New research shows Welsh police have issued at least 104 threat to life notices in the last four years
Police in Wales have warned more than 100 people their lives were under threat in the last four years, new figures have shown.
An investigation found at least 104 “threat to life” notices have been issued by police forces in Wales since 2012.
UK-wide police have warned more than 1,900 people their lives were in danger, Freedom of Information requests sent to forces showed.
Both the Welsh and UK figures almost certainly under estimate the number of notices issued.
Potential risk to individuals
In Wales only the South Wales and Dyfed-Powys forces responded to the Press Association’s investigation.
Like a number of other forces around the UK, including those in the West Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, North Wales and Gwent did not supply figures on the threat to life notices, or so-called “Osman warning” letters.
Dyfed-Powys Police refused to reveal the number of warnings issued in 2015, 2014 or 2013.
The force issued seven Osman warnings in 2012.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police would not want to disclose information that could result in the identification of an individual.
“This would not only result in a breach of the Data Protection Act but in the present case could also potentially result in putting individuals at risk.”
Victim's story
South Wales Police said 33 Osman warnings were issued in 2014 (15 to men, 18 to women), compared with 21 in 2013 (nine to men, 12 to women), and 43 in 2012 (19 to men, 24 to women).
Men and women aged 17 to 74 were among those to receive the letters.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said Osman warnings had proven “highly effective” in helping to protect people “in the overwhelming majority of cases”.
Len Gridley, a vocal opponent of the Dale Farm travellers’ site, said he received a “threat to life” warning notice after a death threat was made against him.
He said: “The police sent me a letter and sent someone over to check the safety of my property.
“When you receive something like that, it puts more things in your mind. You’re a bit more aware and safety conscious.
“As time passes, you can’t let it rule your life, otherwise they win. It was a waste of time in my case but I’m not saying that applies to other people though.”
Threat to life warnings were started after businessman Ali Osman was shot dead in east London in 1988 by a teacher who had previously said he was thinking of committing a massacre.
Paul Paget-Lewis also shot and wounded Mr Osman’s son, Ahmet, after becoming obsessed with him while working at his school.
He was later convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
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