Trainee police officer took his own life after being 'bullied' by colleagues, family claim

A student police officer took his own life following "bullying and institutional racism" from colleagues, his family has claimed.

Anugrah Abraham, from Bury, went missing after having breakfast with his parents on March 3. He was found dead in woodland near to his home the next day.

The 21-year old - described by loved ones as a "gentle giant" - was a student at Leeds Trinity University and was training with West Yorkshire Police at the time of his death.

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But his family said the treatment he received while on placement with the force as part of his three-year apprenticeship degree caused him "severe stress and anxiety". They said he had previously been a "carefree, happy young man".

In a statement they said: "Our family want to make clear that we feel that the harm Anu experienced at the hands of the police, killed him."

Anugrah, known by his family as Anu, was posted at Halifax Police Station from October 2022, and his family said he was initially excited. However, they said things 'quickly turned sour' within weeks of Anu starting the placement.

Anu's family claim he was left "traumatised" by one incident in which he was instructed to carry out a search of a dead body alone, which made him vomit, and was given no support of debrief. They claim Anu was regularly sent out on incidents alone, which he did not feel prepared for, and ended up breaking down in front of a sergeant.

Anu's family have asked the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate his treatment, supported by Kids of Colour and the Northern Police Monitoring Project. They have been told a local investigation by the