THE POLICE watchdog is investigating Gloucestershire Constabulary's contact with a stabbing victim before her death.

Hollie Gazzard, 20, was attacked on Tuesday, February 18 at the hairdressers where she worked in Gloucester.

Asher Thomas Maslin, 22, from Cheltenham, has been charged with her murder.

Gloucestershire Police referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) due to their previous contact with the hairdresser.

The IPCC investigation will examine contact between Miss Gazzard and the police force.

There will also be an analysis of how similar matters have been handled by the force.

IPCC associate commissioner Guido Liguori said: "This is clearly a very difficult time for Hollie’s friends and family and I would like to extend my condolences to them. They will have questions about whether anything more could have been done by Gloucestershire Constabulary to prevent her tragic death, and I am also aware that incidents such as this can be of concern to the wider community.

"Our investigation will establish what action was taken and whether it was in line with force and national guidelines. This will include looking at what intelligence was available to the force and the use of risk assessments.

"As a criminal investigation is under way, we must be cautious about the information we make public so as not to interfere with the ongoing criminal proceedings.”

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said the force was assisting the IPCC with their enquiries and would not comment any further until the investigation is complete.