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Police issue apology to musician Police issue apology to musician
(about 2 hours later)
Police have issued an "unreserved apology" to a musician who was wrongly arrested at gunpoint on suspicion of owning potential bomb-making materials.Police have issued an "unreserved apology" to a musician who was wrongly arrested at gunpoint on suspicion of owning potential bomb-making materials.
Victor Frederick, 63, was arrested by armed officers outside his house in Riverside, Cardiff, in February.Victor Frederick, 63, was arrested by armed officers outside his house in Riverside, Cardiff, in February.
He said police also pointed guns at his partner and their 12-year-old daughter who were at home at the time.He said police also pointed guns at his partner and their 12-year-old daughter who were at home at the time.
In a letter, South Wales Police's Supt Bob Tooby said the force would pay for any damage police did to the property.In a letter, South Wales Police's Supt Bob Tooby said the force would pay for any damage police did to the property.
Mr Frederick, who is originally from the Caribbean but has lived in Cardiff for more than 35 years, told a press conference on Wednesday which was organised by Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood, AM, he had never been in trouble with police before.Mr Frederick, who is originally from the Caribbean but has lived in Cardiff for more than 35 years, told a press conference on Wednesday which was organised by Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood, AM, he had never been in trouble with police before.
His band The Cougar had even played at the South Wales Police ball a few years before, he said.His band The Cougar had even played at the South Wales Police ball a few years before, he said.
Police armed with machine guns approached the musician on 17 February as he returned home from his band's studio in the Grangetown area of Cardiff, he said.Police armed with machine guns approached the musician on 17 February as he returned home from his band's studio in the Grangetown area of Cardiff, he said.
The letter was only hand-delivered to them after this appalling case was highlighted in the media Leanne Wood AMThe letter was only hand-delivered to them after this appalling case was highlighted in the media Leanne Wood AM
He was arrested on suspicion of "possessing materials likely to be used for making explosives".He was arrested on suspicion of "possessing materials likely to be used for making explosives".
His partner Andrea Heath, 49, a youth and community worker who was at home at the time with their daughter, was also arrested and taken in for questioning while their home was searched. His partner Andrea Heath, 49, a youth and community worker, was at home at the time and went to the front door after hearing a commotion outside.
She said that at one point an officer told her: "Stay back or I'll shoot".She said that at one point an officer told her: "Stay back or I'll shoot".
Mr Frederick, who was arrested on the street, was also taken to a police station for questioning and was held for just under 24 hours before being released without charge. Mr Frederick, who was arrested on the street, was taken to a police station for questioning and was held for just under 24 hours before being released without charge.
Police told him there was a list of "suspicious items" which were found at the music studio including a broken guitar, a broken tape machine and a West Indian non-alcoholic drink called mauby found in a fridge.Police told him there was a list of "suspicious items" which were found at the music studio including a broken guitar, a broken tape machine and a West Indian non-alcoholic drink called mauby found in a fridge.
At their press conference on Wednesday, the family said they had not received an apology or an explanation for the raid and the experience had traumatised them.At their press conference on Wednesday, the family said they had not received an apology or an explanation for the raid and the experience had traumatised them.
'Serious concerns''Serious concerns'
In a press release issued on Friday from Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne Wood, who made an official complaint to South Wales Police about the arrests, Supt Bob Tooby was said to have hand delivered the letter which contained an "unreserved apology".In a press release issued on Friday from Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne Wood, who made an official complaint to South Wales Police about the arrests, Supt Bob Tooby was said to have hand delivered the letter which contained an "unreserved apology".
In it the officer said: "I'm grateful for your understanding as to the difficult job we have; balancing potential serious risks to the community against the deployment of armed officers and I fully accept your serious concerns.In it the officer said: "I'm grateful for your understanding as to the difficult job we have; balancing potential serious risks to the community against the deployment of armed officers and I fully accept your serious concerns.
"With regard to the damage caused to your property, I can reassure you that South Wales Police will make every effort to compensate you at the earliest convenience.""With regard to the damage caused to your property, I can reassure you that South Wales Police will make every effort to compensate you at the earliest convenience."
Supt Tooby also invited the couple to contact him to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter.Supt Tooby also invited the couple to contact him to arrange a meeting to discuss the matter.
He said that he had arranged for hand-delivery of the letter to avoid any "unnecessary delay".He said that he had arranged for hand-delivery of the letter to avoid any "unnecessary delay".
Ms Wood said it was surprising it had taken the force more than five weeks to contact the family.Ms Wood said it was surprising it had taken the force more than five weeks to contact the family.
"The letter was only hand-delivered to them after this appalling case was highlighted in the media," she said."The letter was only hand-delivered to them after this appalling case was highlighted in the media," she said.
"I'm glad that a full and unreserved apology has now been made but myself, Victor and Andrea will still expect answers to the questions raised in the letter to the Chief Constable."I'm glad that a full and unreserved apology has now been made but myself, Victor and Andrea will still expect answers to the questions raised in the letter to the Chief Constable.
"We all want to be assured that this will not happen again to any other family or individual in the South Wales Police area.""We all want to be assured that this will not happen again to any other family or individual in the South Wales Police area."