Police misconduct notices in fatal stabbing probe

Gross misconduct notices have been served to two police officers as part of an investigation into their actions prior to the death of a man in West Sussex.

In April an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation was launched following the fatal stabbing of Metodi Petrov Ivanov in Bognor Regis.

The watchdog said the notices had been issued to a police sergeant and police constable and all parties involved had been informed.

It said the serving of conduct notices did not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings would follow.

The IOPC said: "Our investigation began following receipt of a complaint referral from the force in April 2025 and relates to previous reports made to Sussex Police from May 2024 onwards."

Mr Ivanov was reportedly attacked near the pier on The Esplanade on 4 April and died the following day, Sussex Police previously said.

Andrii Uzhyk, 31, from Bognor Regis, was charged with murder on 8 April.

He was also charged with two counts of possession of a bladed article and two counts of criminal damage.

His trial is scheduled for 27 April 2026 and is expected to last four weeks.

Sussex Police has been contacted for a comment.

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