GMP 'responsible' for the death of Anthony Grainger shot dead in Warrington
Judge Thomas Teague says the force is guilty of a “catastrophic series of failings and errors.”
A public inquiry's ruled that Greater Manchester police are to blame for the death of a father-of-two shot dead during a firearms operation in Warrington seven years ago.
Anthony Grainger was behind the wheel of a stolen Audi when an officer opened fire because he thought he was reaching for a gun.
During 15 weeks of evidence in 2017, the officer, known as Q9, told Liverpool Crown Court from behind a screen that he believed Mr Grainger had reached down as if to grab a firearm. But the inquiry heard that no firearms were found on Mr Grainger or in the stationary vehicle in a public car park off Jackson Avenue, Cultcheth, in the early evening of March 3 2012.
Grainger and one of his two passengers, David Totton, had for some weeks been the subject of a GMP operation - Operation Shire - which was investigating their suspected involvement in commercial robberies.
In his report, Judge Thomas Teague QC concluded: Q9 shot Mr Grainger in the honestly held belief that he was reaching for a firearm with the intention of discharging it at Q9's colleagues. That belief was, however, incorrect.
When Mr Grainger disobeyed Q9's instruction to show his hands, he was probably reaching for the driver's door handle in order to get out of the Audi.
Had GMP's firearms commanders adopted disruption as a tactical option, as they should have done, they would have avoided the risks occasioned by decisive intervention.
Had they planned, briefed and conducted the deployment competently, Q9 would have been less likely to misinterpret Mr Grainger's actions and might not have shot him.''
Anthony Grainger's partner, Gail Hadfield-Grainger, said: It has taken seven years but some justice has been done today for Anthony.
This devastating report shows that Anthony's death was caused by a litany of catastrophic failures by Greater Manchester Police in 2012. It could and should have been prevented.
It also exposes, that even now in 2019, Greater Manchester Police is unfit to control firearms operations.
This is a scandal, which places other lives at risk. I have waited seven years for an apology from the Chief Constable. I am still waiting.
A GMP spokesperson said: “We fully understand the heart-breaking effect that Anthony Grainger’s death has had on his family and loved ones. We also fully understand that the public inquiry will have been very difficult for them. On behalf of Greater Manchester Police, we offer our condolences to Anthony Grainger’s family and to his loved ones.
“We have received the public inquiry report into the death of Anthony Grainger and we are considering the findings of the chairman, HHJ Teague QC.
“In his report, the chairman has made a number of findings which are critical of GMP. The criticisms are wide-ranging and include criticisms of aspects of the planning and preparation of the firearms operation during which Anthony Grainger lost his life on 3rd March 2012.
“The force, our commanders, and our officers do not set out on any policing operation with the intention of firearms being discharged. This case was no different and the safety of the public, the subjects of police operations and our officers is, and remains, our absolute priority.
“That being said, we undertake to consider each and every one of the chairman’s findings and criticisms with the utmost care, attention and reflection. It is what the public would expect GMP to do in circumstances where criticisms have been made of the planning and preparation of a police operation in which a young man lost his life. It is what GMP will do.
“Working alongside our regional and national partners, we will consider all of the chairman’s recommendations to assess what more can be done now, and in the future, to further improve the safety of police firearms operations.
“Many changes have already been made locally, regionally and nationally since the death of Anthony Grainger in 2012, most recently following an independent review conducted by the College of Policing. We will continue to strive to maximise the safety of all policing operations.
“We will not comment any further until we have had an opportunity to read the chairman’s report in more detail."