Investigation into fatal London police shooting found officers’ use of force was appropriate

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded its investigation in September 2021 and its findings can now be released following an inquest into Mr Yahya’s death, which concluded on Friday (May 31). A jury returned a finding that he was lawfully killed.

“We found the actions of the City of London Police (CoLP) firearms officer who shot Mr Yahya were reasonable in the circumstances when considering the risk the officer perceived to his life,” the IOPC said.

“All of the police officers involved were treated as witnesses throughout the investigation.”

On March 8, 2020, two Ministry of Defence Police officers were conducting mobile patrols in a marked police vehicle.

At approximately 11.20pm, they were driving along Upper Ground, London, SE1 and came across Mr Yahya.

They left their vehicle to speak to him, thinking he may be lost.

Mr Yahya produced two knives and both officers discharged their Tasers.

One of the officers activated his emergency button and officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and CoLP responded to the call for assistance.

Mr Yahya ran away from officers over Hungerford Bridge and on to Northumberland Avenue where he was met by MPSt officers, one of whom discharged his Taser. All Taser discharges at this stage were ineffective, according to an expert’s report the IOPC commissioned.

Mr Yahya ran onto Great Scotland Yard in Westminster, where a CoLP officer discharged his Taser and another CoLP officer fired a single shot, which struck Mr Yahya at around 11.34pm.

He was placed in handcuffs and given emergency first aid by the officers but Mr Yahya was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.16am. Two knives were also recovered from the scene.

IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Yahya and everyone affected by his death.

“Fatal police shootings are fortunately rare and lethal force must only be used when absolutely necessary. When such incidents happen, it’s vital that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are thoroughly and independently examined.

“During the course of the officers’ interactions with Mr Yahya, they made numerous attempts to apprehend him using non-lethal force – including multiple discharges of Taser over a five-minute period, which proved ineffective.

“The officer who shot Mr Yahya said he feared for his life as Mr Yahya moved toward him while holding two knives. Our investigation reviewed all available CCTV footage which showed Mr Yahya stepping towards officers, holding a knife, when he was then fatally shot.

“Based on the available evidence, we found that the decision to shoot Mr Yahya was reasonable in the circumstances, due to the threat the officer perceived to his life.”

At the end of its investigation, the IOPC said it found no indication that any officers should face disciplinary action or had committed a criminal offence.

Its report and findings were shared with Mr Yahya’s family and HM Coroner.

“Our investigation looked at the actions and decisions of the officers involved in the incident, including the use of lethal force,” the IOPC said.

“IOPC investigators attended the scene and post incident procedure. We examined more than 50 witness statements from police officers and members of the public, along with medical records for Mr Yahya which showed he had been receiving treatment for mental health issues for several years.

“However, the police officers who interacted with him on the night did not know about his mental health background.

“The Tasers used during the incident were downloaded and CCTV, body-worn video footage and radio transmissions were reviewed and analysed. We also obtained a report from a use of force expert.

“Although no officers were found to have breached the police standards of professional behaviour, three CoLP officers underwent the reflective practice review process over failures to activate their body-worn video during the incident.”

Mike Reed, chair of the City of London Police Federation, said: “Our members are called on at times to make decisions in split seconds… to then be examined in detail over long periods.

“This case has taken four years to reach the decision of lawful killing.

“Our members throughout that time have acted professionally while waiting for the result of today’s Inquest and an IOPC investigation.

“No police officer goes to work to take the life of another. Our role is to preserve life when and where we can. That said, an officer should also have the right to defend themselves when placed in harm’s way.

“When policing is under such scrutiny – and officers often comment they feel unable to use force to do the job the public demands of them – it is imperative that outcomes such as this, via the IOPC and the coronial process, recognise lawful and proportionate uses of force.

“I would like to thank the officers of the Ministry of Defence Police, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police who worked that day and indeed turn up every day for duty to keep London safe, not knowing what that day will bring.

“I would also extend a thank you to the Fed Reps, officers and staff that have supported the officers from this incident on the night, and over the past four years.”