I’m not flying the DV flag, however, AS made reference to the fact that concerns were raised about CV. While I take your point that police officers are experience at spotting a lie, no one is infallible.
You say above that evidence required to obtain a search warrant is low, and previously you’ve pointed out that the owners can be approached for permission.
Either of these approaches would gain permission if applied.
It’s a place she was intending to go, no one really knows that she didn’t actually go to the PoW and we apparently only have the word of the temporary landlord who the police office expressed concerns about.
To anyone looking at this it appears that it’s being avoided at all costs.
I know I said the evidence/justification required is 'low' but not this low.
Bear in mind that in some circumstances police will have legislated powers of search, e.g.
1. Search of person following arrest
2. Premises where arrest took place (only rooms in control of the arrested person or communal areas)
3. Vehicle in which a person was arrested
4. Premises/vehicle someone was in immediately prior to arrest
Etc, etc.
However, the PoW doesn't fall into these warranted powers as no one (read landlord/temp) was arrested on the premises or nearby after having come from there.
Without the owner giving wholly voluntary permission, which can be withdrawn at any point during the search, there is only one other option.
A search warrant issued my a magistrate/JP
To get a search warrant it is necessary to complete an application identifying the grounds for the search....the evidence to suggest that SJL went there, didn't come out, or there may be evidence linked to her disappearance there.
You then face the magistrate/JP, swear on oath and make your request verbally. The magistrate/JP will question you thoroughly on the circumstances, evidence, whether children/vulnerable persons will be present, the impact/risk to the community etc etc.
Question will be "do you have a suspect from the PoW? Have they been arrested? What steps are you taking to find them?"
There is nothing more to link SJL to the PoW other than her property was found there and we belive she had made arrangements to collect it that evening, long after she was last seen.
SJL has not been seen near the PoW. There is no evidence to indicate that she went there on the afternoon of 28/7/86.
If anyone who had control over the PoW at the time were arrested for offences concerned in her disappearance then police search after arrest powers, issued by an Inspector would most likely be used to conduct a search, rather than having to apply to a magistrate/JP for a search warrant.
As it stands, from the information I am aware of, the senior officer who would need to sign off the search warrant application would not put their signature to it.
There is just not anything substantive to suggest that SJL went there, is still there or there is other evidence of her disappearance there.
