Force changes firearms policy after incident delays
Thames Valley Police has revamped its firearms policy after admitting there was an unacceptable delay when officers attended a shooting that ended in the double murder of two sisters.
Vicky Horgan and her sister Emma Walton died after being shot by Vickys estranged husband last June. Vickys mother was also seriously injured in the shootings at Highmoor Cross near Henley.
Chief Constable Peter Neyroud ordered a review of the incident, after it emerged that officers took more than an hour to enter the house, after the first 999 calls were made.
The review, supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, found an overly cautious approach to sending armed officers in to the property which had led to an unjustifiable delay.
The force said this was because the officers priority was to locate the gunman in accordance with the Thames Valley Police firearms policy, which is based on ACPO guidance and is accepted practice.
As a result of the review, the policy gives clearer guidance to commanders especially where people have been, or are suspected to have been, injured.
Mr Neyroud said: “I will be using the lessons of this case straight away in firearms training in Thames Valley Police, and I have already discussed with colleagues its use in national training.”
The review highlighted the need for ACPO to amend its guidance in relation to the “transfer of command” during a spontaneous firearms incident. It currently states that certain factors should be in play before the silver commander takes command from the control room inspector.
The review also recommended that ACPO provide “clear and unequivocal guidance” on when silver and gold commanders should be informed of a firearms incident, and what is expected of them in the early stages of an incident. This should be supported by consistent standards in command training, said the report.
Thames Valley Police deals with around 200 spontaneous firearms incidents every year and there has been a 44 per cent increase in armed deployments by the force so far this financial year.
Mr Neyroud said: “Our firearms response has always been measured and good use of tactical planning and deployment has meant the successful resolution of many incidents involving armed criminals, or dangerous persons often suffering from mental illness, without the need to use lethal force.
“However, it has been seen to have failings in recent events. A methodical, incremental approach is less appropriate when there is a need to act quickly
to protect life.”