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| Plymouth bookies robber: Police absolved over Alan Levers death | Plymouth bookies robber: Police absolved over Alan Levers death |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The police watchdog has absolved officers of any blame after a masked gunman died attempting to rob a Plymouth betting shop. | The police watchdog has absolved officers of any blame after a masked gunman died attempting to rob a Plymouth betting shop. |
| Alan Levers, 50, entered Ladbrokes in Crownhill Road wearing a gas mask and holding a suspected imitation pistol on Friday. | Alan Levers, 50, entered Ladbrokes in Crownhill Road wearing a gas mask and holding a suspected imitation pistol on Friday. |
| Customers disarmed him and held him on the floor until officers arrived. | Customers disarmed him and held him on the floor until officers arrived. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it "should be subject to a local investigation". | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it "should be subject to a local investigation". |
| Mr Levers, from the Honicknowle area of Plymouth, was unconscious when police arrived and died minutes later. | Mr Levers, from the Honicknowle area of Plymouth, was unconscious when police arrived and died minutes later. |
| 'Acted bravely' | |
| A statement on the force website read: "The IPCC has contacted Devon and Cornwall Police to say that having made an assessment, this matter should be subject to a local investigation." | A statement on the force website read: "The IPCC has contacted Devon and Cornwall Police to say that having made an assessment, this matter should be subject to a local investigation." |
| A police spokesman confirmed this ended the IPCC's involvement, and that the force investigation into the circumstances of the incident would continue as normal. | A police spokesman confirmed this ended the IPCC's involvement, and that the force investigation into the circumstances of the incident would continue as normal. |
| The case was referred to the IPCC by Devon and Cornwall Police. | The case was referred to the IPCC by Devon and Cornwall Police. |
| Mr Levers was pinned down by four customers before police arrived. | |
| A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "We do not anticipate, at this time, any criminal proceedings being taken against those who detained the deceased. | |
| "These key witnesses acted bravely under difficult circumstances and showed a disregard for their safety." |