A POLICE force will be probed over its handling of stalking allegations made by a woman murdered by her obsessive ex-boyfriend.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will carry out an independent investigation into the actions of Northumbria Police before the death of Alice Ruggles.

The 24-year-old twice complained to police in the days before she was killed by Lance Corporal Trimaan “Harry” Dhillon in October last year.

Edinburgh-based Dhillon was jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court in April after being convicted of stalking his former partner, breaking into her Gateshead flat and cutting her neck from ear to ear.

Northumbria Police carried out a local investigation which found no evidence of misconduct by any individual officer.

But the police watchdog said there were “rare” occasions when cases require “further consideration”.

IPCC commission delegate Ian Tolan said: “The IPCC received a referral from Northumbria Police after a domestic homicide review of their investigation into Alice’s murder.”

He said it identified potential conduct matters and, following a careful assessment, an independent investigation is under way.

“It will look at the force’s response following Alice’s initial call to police regarding stalking and harassment by Trimaan Dhillon.

“There are occasions when, following a local investigation, we feel a matter requires further consideration and it would be appropriate to investigate this independently.

“We have discussed our investigation with Alice’s family and our thoughts are with them.”

The trial heard Leicestershire-born Miss Ruggles obtained a harassment order from police banning Dhillon him from contacting her – which he ignored.

She again contacted police and was asked if she wanted Dhillon arrested but declined.