Public reassured of safety ahead of Dawn Sturgess inquiry in Salisbury
The 44-year-old died in 2018 after being poisoned by novichok
Wiltshire Police is reassuring the public that their safety won't be compromised while hearings into the death of Dawn Sturgess are held in Salisbury next week.
The 44-year-old died in 2018 after being poisoned with Novichok, which was in a perfume bottle.
The public inquiry starts at Salisbury Guildhall on Monday 14th October, although Prime Minister at the time of Ms Sturgess' death, Theresa May, believes it won't lead to justice.
While the hearings are taking place in the city, Police Chief, Catherine Roper, says day-to-day policing won't be impacted despite an increased police presence in Salisbury and Amesbury.
The Force insists there's no evidence to suggest the wider public is at risk.
Chief Constable Roper said: “It is important to remember that at the heart of this Inquiry are Dawn’s family and loved ones whose lives have been irreversibly changed.
“We also fully appreciate the impact that the Inquiry starting in our county might have on our local communities. It will, undoubtedly, bring back some difficult memories for those who were living and working in Salisbury and Amesbury in 2018.
“Our collective focus, therefore, remains on supporting our communities and ensuring Wiltshire Police continue to provide the local policing service that our communities need."
A chance for some closure
Officers have been planned for several months to ensure the inquiry runs smoothly, with the purpose to provide Dawn's family, friends and our wider communities in Wiltshire the opportunity to access the as much information as possible surrounding her death.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson, said it's a vital chance for those close to Dawn to get some closure - even if it is six years after her death.
“We should never lose sight of the fact at the very centre of this Public Inquiry is a family who have lost their daughter and a young girl who has lost her mother in such an horrific, and public, manner.
"It is right and proper the family of Dawn Sturgess have the chance to learn how Dawn died and why. For them to be able to have some proper closure, even if it is years down the line, is my sincere hope for them.
Chief Constable Roper added: “In addition to our status as a Core Participant to the Inquiry, while it is sitting in Salisbury, we also have responsibility for the policing operation outside of the Guildhall. We have developed a proportionate policing plan which will be resourced, largely, by our Neighbourhood Policing colleagues. These are familiar faces within the community with strong, local connections.
“Although our communities in Salisbury city centre will likely see an increased policing presence for the duration of the Salisbury hearing, there is no current intelligence to suggest there is any risk to the wider public.
“Our policing response to the Inquiry is in line with other, similar-sized public events.
“Importantly, I would like to reassure our communities that there will be no impact on the local policing provision within and around Salisbury or the wider county during the opening week of the Inquiry.
“To support our communities living in certain areas of the city that we expect could draw a sharp media focus during the hearings, we’ve already started to increase foot patrols.
“Finally, I would urge any members of our communities who might have questions or concerns linked to the Inquiry to reach out to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team – they are there to support you in any way they can.”