The tragedy of Benjamin Connor and the hope for real change

Greater Manchester Police says the force has made changes to policy and procedure after the death of a vulnerable 'dumped' at a Metrolink station at Christmas with no money or phone.

Benjamin Connor, 30, a father-of-four, was hit by a taxi on the M602 motorway in Salford - around two miles away - around two hours later.

Tragically, he died in hospital from his injuries. The circumstances surrounding the entire incident were examined by a jury at an inquest into his death at Bolton Coroners' Court last week - three years on.

Jurors were told his mother, Sharon Weir, died before the full inquest could be held. But she had already written a letter to the coroner, saying: "I'm in turmoil to say the least. I want to know how and why the police let my son go on that night as it was evident that he was in no fit state to be left alone. I can't understand why he was not locked up.

"Dumped at Cornbrook station with no money, phone or transport at Christmas. Our family is broken."

By the conclusion returned, the jury agreed with her. Jurors said they found the actions of the police officers involved were 'not correct or safe' and concluded Mr Connor, who lived in Warrington, died from 'a road traffic collision, contributed to by neglect'.

Now GMP has moved to reassure Mr Connor's family change has come into effect as a result of the tragedy. The force said it referred itself to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct in the aftermath, with the IOPC referring the case back for GMP's Professional Standards Directorate to investigate.

In a new statement to the Manchester Evening News, GMP said 'both individual and organisational learning relating to the safeguarding which should've taken place, and policy' was