THE family of a 14-year-old boy stabbed to death in a Grays flat are suing Essex and Surrey Police forces, it has emerged.

It comes after the Independent Police Complaints Comission confirmed it is investigating Surrey Police over its handling of the case because the family first reported concerns to them two months before the tragic event.

Lewis Daynes, an 18-year-old computer engineer from Grays, admitted killing Breck Bednar at a flat in Rosebery Road in February.

Daynes had previously denied murdering the school boy, from Caterham in Surrey, but changed his plea just moments before the jury were sworn in for trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

Breck is thought to have travelled down to Grays after meeting Daynes online.

Now police are being investigated over their handling of the case and Essex Police confirmed it has been notifed of a civil claim against the force.

It is thought that Breck’s mother, Lorin LaFave and father Barry Bednar accuse Essex Police of failing to share information with Surrey police about the case.

Meanwhile, Surrey Police says it has “reviewed its call handling practises” and improved the way “information is handled and shared”.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: “We are investigating Surrey Police. We’ve received a referral from Essex Police, which we are considering.”

Outside court on Tuesday, Breck’s mother Lorin LaFave, 47, a teaching assistant from Michigan said the death of her son is a warning of the dangers of online predators. She said: “I want Breck’s tragedy to open the eyes of everyone to recognise the dangers of online predators. It is a very real danger today. We all need to look after each other.”

Gavin Stephens, Assistant Chief Constable at Surrey Police, said: “In December 2013 a call was made to Surrey Police by a relative of Breck expressing concerns around online grooming.

“Following Breck’s death we carried out a review of practises in our call handling centre and implemented changes to improve the way information is handled and shared.

“Due to the prior contact the case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. They have since decided to conduct an independent investigation into the actions taken by Surrey Police following this communication.

“We will fully co-operate with the ongoing investigation.”

An Essex police spokesman said: “Essex police have been notified of a civil claim against the force and it would be inappropriate to comment further on that matter at this time.”

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: “We have received a civil claim but can't make any further comment.”

Daynes will be sentenced on Monday, January 12.