A NEW wide-ranging inquiry has been commissioned into the death of Halesowen schoolgirl Christina Edkins who was stabbed to death last year.

NHS England has confirmed a new review into the circumstances which led to paranoid schizophrenic Philip Simelane killing the 16-year-old schoolgirl on the nine bus in March 2013.

The family of Christina has made a written request to NHS England for a further review after an earlier report highlighted a litany of mistakes which led to Simelane wandering the streets with severe mental health problems.

A spokesperson for NHS England in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country said: “NHS England can confirm that a letter has been received and subsequently a decision has been made for a further review.

“The multiagency report was reviewed by the Regional Independent Investigation Committee on the October 27.

"Taking this into consideration, as well as the family’s wishes, it was felt this case would benefit from a further review.

“We understand this continues to be a difficult time for Christina’s family. NHS England will strive to ensure that the family are satisfied with the outcome of this further independent review.”

The new investigation could shed light on who was responsible for the decisions and mistakes which led to Simelane being free to kill despite several warning signs.

The report published in September revealed a litany of mistakes or oversights by several agencies including the NHS, Birmingham and Solihull Trust, HMP Birmingham, HMP Hewell, the National Offender Management Service and West Midlands Police.

Simelane had been known to several agencies for a number of years after his mother pleaded for help concerning his mental health problems.

After getting on the number 9 bus with an out of date ticket on March 7 last year he stabbed the school girl fatally as she travelled to Leasowes High School.

The paranoid schizophrenic was subsequently convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was detained without a time limit in a secure psychiatric hospital.