West Mercia Police to be probed over Georgia's murderer

Reynolds was cautioned after the attack and last May went on to strangle 17-year-old Georgia Williams to death in a meticulously planned killing at his Telford home.

Devon and Cornwall Police has been drafted in after Georgia's mother, Lynnette Williams, called for an independent investigation, saying her daughter might still be alive today if inquiries into the previous attack had been more thorough.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was happy for West Mercia to conduct its own investigation, but force chiefs said it would be "more appropriate" for an outside authority to be involved.

West Mercia has asked its colleagues in Devon and Cornwall to examine its previous dealings with Reynolds to find out whether their action fell short of expectations.

Mrs Williams today welcomed the news, adding: "I am pleased that the situation is moving forward. I have met with Devon and Cornwall Police and feel confident that they well carry out a full independent investigation which will be fair on both sides."

When Reynolds was sentenced to life imprisonment at Stafford Crown Court in December, it emerged he first came to the attention of West Mercia Police at the age of 17, when he tried to strangle a girl after luring her back to his house under the pretence of a photo shoot.

Georgia's murder mirrored this attack and was the result of a carefully scripted plan.

Meanwhile, Mrs Williams and her husband Steve, a detective constable with West Mercia Police, await news of Reynolds' appeal against his full life jail term.

The 23-year-old, of Avondale Road, Wellington was told he would never be freed after judge, Mr Justice Wilkie, agreed with a psychiatric report that Reynolds "had the potential to progressing to become a serial killer".

The hearing, expected to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand in London, could set a precedent on the outcome of any future bids for freedom by the most dangerous killers sentenced to life behind bars, according to the Lord Chief Justice.

Sir John Thomas intends to hear Reynolds' appeal alongside that of another child killer, as he believes he may be able to issue guidance which would apply in future cases, according to a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mrs Williams said: "It's still going ahead in London but we just don't know when yet. But we are going to be there for Georgia."

• Star comment: Inquiry on killer case is welcome