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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Force cleared over stab killing | Force cleared over stab killing |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A police force acted correctly in ordering uniformed officers to wait for armed back-up during a fatal knife attack on a woman, an inquiry has said. | A police force acted correctly in ordering uniformed officers to wait for armed back-up during a fatal knife attack on a woman, an inquiry has said. |
| Margaret Iley, 57, was murdered by her ex-husband Joseph in Horden, Co Durham in February. He was jailed for life. | Margaret Iley, 57, was murdered by her ex-husband Joseph in Horden, Co Durham in February. He was jailed for life. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated after Mrs Iley's family expressed concern over how Durham Police reacted. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated after Mrs Iley's family expressed concern over how Durham Police reacted. |
| The IPCC said officers could not always be expected to put their lives at risk. | The IPCC said officers could not always be expected to put their lives at risk. |
| Ms Iley was found by neighbours at Smillie Road, Horden, on 9 February. She had suffered multiple stab wounds. | Ms Iley was found by neighbours at Smillie Road, Horden, on 9 February. She had suffered multiple stab wounds. |
| The IPCC report said Durham Police were aware of an ongoing threat to Mrs Iley from her former husband after the couple split in 1993. | The IPCC report said Durham Police were aware of an ongoing threat to Mrs Iley from her former husband after the couple split in 1993. |
| 9 February timeline 1804 GMT - Mrs Iley activates panic alarm1806 GMT - two officers sent to scene1808 GMT - two 999 calls report man with knife1809 GMT - 999 call reports Joseph Iley attacking Mrs IleyAt about this point officers are told to wait for armed support1815 GMT - Mrs Iley carried into neighbouring property1818 GMT - Joseph Iley reported fleeing scene1819 GMT - 999 call reports Mrs Iley's death1820 GMT - first officers arrive on scene | |
| A panic alarm was installed in her home in May 2006 after repeated incidents of abuse. | A panic alarm was installed in her home in May 2006 after repeated incidents of abuse. |
| On the evening on 9 February the alarm was activated and Durham Police received at least three 999 calls. | On the evening on 9 February the alarm was activated and Durham Police received at least three 999 calls. |
| Two unarmed officers were sent to the scene, but were shortly afterwards ordered to wait for an armed response unit, when it emerged from past information that Joseph Iley could have access to a firearm. | Two unarmed officers were sent to the scene, but were shortly afterwards ordered to wait for an armed response unit, when it emerged from past information that Joseph Iley could have access to a firearm. |
| Less than 20 minutes later Mrs Iley was dead. | Less than 20 minutes later Mrs Iley was dead. |
| IPCC commissioner for the North East, Gary Garland, said the decision to order the two unarmed officers to wait was "not unreasonable." | IPCC commissioner for the North East, Gary Garland, said the decision to order the two unarmed officers to wait was "not unreasonable." |
| He said: "With hindsight some may say that unarmed officers should have gone immediately to the house. But we must ask what we expect from police officers. | He said: "With hindsight some may say that unarmed officers should have gone immediately to the house. But we must ask what we expect from police officers. |
| "We have expectations of police officers showing great bravery. | "We have expectations of police officers showing great bravery. |
| "But we must also remember that the vast majority of officers are unarmed and we cannot always expect them to put their lives at risk, especially when specialist units such as firearms teams are available to tackle high risk situations." | "But we must also remember that the vast majority of officers are unarmed and we cannot always expect them to put their lives at risk, especially when specialist units such as firearms teams are available to tackle high risk situations." |
| Mrs Iley's family had called for in inquiry after expressing serious concerns about the response of the Durham force to the incident. | Mrs Iley's family had called for in inquiry after expressing serious concerns about the response of the Durham force to the incident. |
| Joseph Iley was jailed for murder in June | Joseph Iley was jailed for murder in June |
| No-one from the family was available for comment. | No-one from the family was available for comment. |
| Mr Garland added: "What I must stress from the outset is that given the nature of Mrs Iley's injuries it is extremely unlikely that an earlier police intervention would have made any difference to the outcome. | Mr Garland added: "What I must stress from the outset is that given the nature of Mrs Iley's injuries it is extremely unlikely that an earlier police intervention would have made any difference to the outcome. |
| "Within five minutes of the police becoming aware of the panic alarm activation, 999 calls were being received reporting that Mrs Iley was being attacked, | "Within five minutes of the police becoming aware of the panic alarm activation, 999 calls were being received reporting that Mrs Iley was being attacked, |
| "But by this stage it was probably too late for the police to make any difference." | "But by this stage it was probably too late for the police to make any difference." |
| The report concluded by saying no officers would face any sanctions over the incident, but recommended changes to record keeping and the use of panic alarms. | The report concluded by saying no officers would face any sanctions over the incident, but recommended changes to record keeping and the use of panic alarms. |
| 'Responded professionally' | 'Responded professionally' |
| Supt Harry Stephenson, head of professional standards for Durham Police, said: "The available police intelligence on Joseph Iley indicated he was a highly dangerous man with possible access to a firearm. | Supt Harry Stephenson, head of professional standards for Durham Police, said: "The available police intelligence on Joseph Iley indicated he was a highly dangerous man with possible access to a firearm. |
| "With this in mind the officers involved on the day responded professionally to a fast-moving incident in accordance with the plans laid down. | "With this in mind the officers involved on the day responded professionally to a fast-moving incident in accordance with the plans laid down. |
| "Tough decisions sometimes have to be made when considering how to balance officer safety against the need to protect members of the public. | "Tough decisions sometimes have to be made when considering how to balance officer safety against the need to protect members of the public. |
| "In this instance it was decided to send a firearms team to the scene rather than the nearest officers, who were unarmed. | "In this instance it was decided to send a firearms team to the scene rather than the nearest officers, who were unarmed. |
| "Our sympathies are, as they always have been, with Mrs Iley's family." | "Our sympathies are, as they always have been, with Mrs Iley's family." |