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The police watchdog is to widen its investigation into the treatment of a disabled man murdered by a vigilante, who had branded him a paedophile

Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, had repeatedly contacted officers at Avon and Somerset Constabulary, complaining that he was the victim of anti-social behaviour and was being unfairly targeted by his neighbours in Bristol.

Mr Ebrahimi had begged officers to help him, telling them he did not feel safe in his own home, just hours before he was beaten to death and his body set on fire by neighbour Lee James last July.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was expanding the investigation into the Iranian national's death including officers' treatment of him prior to the murder.

The watchdog said three police constables, who visited Mr Ebrahimi the day before his death, have been interviewed under caution for the potential offence of misconduct in a public office.

IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams said it was 'vital to get to the truth of what happened'.

"As well as interviewing individual officers the evidence has dictated that we must look at the force's policy and approach to these sorts of incidents and complaints and any potential organisational failings that Avon and Somerset need to deal with," she said.

"Of course this takes us time but it is imperative for the public, for public confidence and for the Ebrahimi family that we do a thorough investigation and leave no stone unturned.

"I know that the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset is keen to expedite matters as soon as possible, both in terms of the individual officers concerned and in restoring the confidence of the wider community."

Commissioner Williams said the watchdog was looking at ways of addressing allegations relating to specific officers and hoped a witness appeal later this month would assist us further.

She added: "We continue to talk to Mr Ebrahimi's family and update them on progress in the investigation.

"I am acutely aware of the difficult time they continue to go through. I have assured them we are carrying out a thorough and robust independent inquiry into police contact and that we are doing so as swiftly as we can."

James, of Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years' imprisonment in November.

Stephen Norley, 25, who lived next door to James, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender after obtaining white spirit and helping drag Mr Ebrahimi's body to where it was set alight. He was jailed for four years.

A post-mortem examination report found Mr Ebrahimi suffered "multiple heavy blows to the face and head" and had died before he was set alight.