Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Believe Frank Shelley Was Exposed To The Deadly Substance While Serving With West Midlands Police

The wife of a retired West Midlands police officer who died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is appealing for ex-bobbies and staff to help her determine how her husband came to be exposed to the deadly substance.

Frank Shelley, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, died on October 22 last year aged 84 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, in July 2016. He leaves behind his wife, a son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, and terminal form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often decades before victims begin to suffer with symptoms. According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) more than 2,500 people in the UK lose their lives to the disease every year.

Frank’s widow Pam instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how her husband came to be exposed to the deadly substance many years ago.

Pam, who married Frank on August 13, 2016 after 10 years together, is using Action Mesothelioma Day (July 7) to appeal to Frank’s former colleagues at West Midlands Police to come forward with information about the conditions in which he worked.

Action Mesothelioma Day aims to bring together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected by the disease, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand the disease and find a cure, to ensure the public are aware of the terrible impact it can have on sufferers and their carers.

Mesothelioma is most commonly associated with heavy industry and the building trade and the vast majority of deaths from mesothelioma are in people over the age of 65. It is predicted that mesothelioma deaths will continue to rise every year before reaching a peak in about 2020.

Pam said: “This terrible illness took him so very quickly and we were shocked to have to say goodbye so soon.

“I miss Frank terribly and, while I know nothing can bring him back, I would really like answers as to how he came to develop this dreadful illness.

“With 35 years’ service in the police, someone somewhere will have the information which will help us come to terms with his loss and hopefully be able to move on to think of him in happier times.”

The father-of-one joined Birmingham City Police as a 17-year-old police cadet in 1948 and was initially stationed at Steelhouse Lane Station. With the exception of two years’ National Service, he remained with the force until February 1983.

During his 35-year career he worked as a constable at Kenyon Street Police Station in Birmingham, Steelhouse Lane Station’s CID and Digbeth Station’s training school.

He was promoted to sergeant and stationed at Perry Bar Police Station and Kings Standing. He spent six months at Bramshill Police Training College in Hampshire before returning to be promoted to inspector.

As an inspector Frank served at Cotteridge and Selly Oak Police Stations before moving to Newton Street and Steelhouse Police Stations where he worked as a staff officer for a senior police officer.

He was promoted again to the rank of Chief Inspector and went back to work at Duke Street Garage in charge of traffic patrols. He was later based at Thornhill Road Police Station in Handsworth before his promotion to Superintendent in charge of Digbeth station and another small Police Station.

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive, and sadly, incurable, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibres – something which leads to the death of more than 2,500 people in the UK every year.

“We are investigating Frank’s exposure during his time at West Midlands Police and hope that those who worked alongside him will come forward with any information they have about the presence of asbestos and what measures were in place to protect officers and staff from exposure to the deadly dust and fibres.

“We hope to help Frank’s family understand how and where he was exposed to asbestos as they continue to seek answers following his sudden death just mere months after his diagnosis.” Hayley Hill - Senior Associate Solicitor

Anyone with information regarding working and the conditions in police stations across Birmingham from the 1940s to the 1980s should contact Hayley Hill at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5407 or hayley.hill@irwinmitchell.com