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Double murder police criticised Double murder police criticised
(about 2 hours later)
An investigation into the murder of a couple by a criminal gang has criticised the police's offer of protection to them.An investigation into the murder of a couple by a criminal gang has criticised the police's offer of protection to them.
Joan and John Stirland were shot dead at their bungalow in Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire, in August 2004.Joan and John Stirland were shot dead at their bungalow in Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire, in August 2004.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the Nottinghamshire force's sharing of intelligence with Lincolnshire Police was "unacceptable".The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the Nottinghamshire force's sharing of intelligence with Lincolnshire Police was "unacceptable".
The couple had fled Nottingham after gunmen targeted their home.The couple had fled Nottingham after gunmen targeted their home.
The IPCC said Nottinghamshire Police's investigation into that attack fell below acceptable standards. The IPCC said Nottinghamshire Police's investigation into that attack fell below acceptable standards, adding the problems were not serious misconduct but errors of judgement.
'Below standard''Below standard'
Mr Stirland, 55, and his 51-year-old wife moved to their seaside home at Trusthorpe, where they were killed eight months later.Mr Stirland, 55, and his 51-year-old wife moved to their seaside home at Trusthorpe, where they were killed eight months later.
They were murdered in revenge for a murder carried out by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in Nottingham in 2003.They were murdered in revenge for a murder carried out by Mrs Stirland's son Michael O'Brien in Nottingham in 2003.
The killings were ordered by gangland boss Colin Gunn, who is serving 35 years in prison for conspiracy to murder.The killings were ordered by gangland boss Colin Gunn, who is serving 35 years in prison for conspiracy to murder.
Colin Gunn is serving 35 years for conspiracy to murderColin Gunn is serving 35 years for conspiracy to murder
Michael McNee and John Russell, were also jailed for conspiracy to murder the Stirlands.Michael McNee and John Russell, were also jailed for conspiracy to murder the Stirlands.
The IPCC found officers with little experience of protecting people were initially given the responsibility for the couple's safety.The IPCC found officers with little experience of protecting people were initially given the responsibility for the couple's safety.
Nottinghamshire officers offered protection to the pair on condition that Mrs Stirland gave evidence against her son.Nottinghamshire officers offered protection to the pair on condition that Mrs Stirland gave evidence against her son.
The couple declined to join a witness protection programme. The couple declined to join a witness protection programme because they did not want to have a new identity because it would mean losing contact with family and friends.
The IPCC said in five separate areas the Nottinghamshire force was found to have "organisationally failed", including the "management of major crime".The IPCC said in five separate areas the Nottinghamshire force was found to have "organisationally failed", including the "management of major crime".
Lincolnshire Police were given only the barest of details about who the Stirlands were and communication between the two forces was not as good as it could have been.Lincolnshire Police were given only the barest of details about who the Stirlands were and communication between the two forces was not as good as it could have been.
Officers investigated This was a very determined organised crime group - determined to seek retribution IPCC chairman Len Jackson
On the day of the murders Mrs Stirland called the police because a neighbour had seen a prowler.On the day of the murders Mrs Stirland called the police because a neighbour had seen a prowler.
It was almost three hours before an officer rang her back. The couple were shot shortly afterwards.It was almost three hours before an officer rang her back. The couple were shot shortly afterwards.
It was another seven hours before a Lincolnshire officer turned up at the couple's bungalow. It was another seven hours before a Lincolnshire officer turned up at the couple's bungalow. He had been told by other officers the callout was "nothing urgent".
He had been told by other officers the callout was "nothing urgent".
The IPCC said it was impossible to say whether the killings could have been prevented if officers had acted differently.The IPCC said it was impossible to say whether the killings could have been prevented if officers had acted differently.
"This was a very determined organised crime group, determined to seek retribution, and it would have been unlikely that no matter what was done that the Stirlands could have been saved," IPCC chairman Len Jackson said.
The Commission investigated 13 Nottinghamshire officers. Three have subsequently retired.The Commission investigated 13 Nottinghamshire officers. Three have subsequently retired.
It found the conduct of five serving officers fell below the professional standard expected of them.It found the conduct of five serving officers fell below the professional standard expected of them.
Risk assessment
Nottinghamshire Police has now set up a dedicated police protection unit and "taken on board their shortcomings", Mr Jackson said.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not charge any officers over the deaths.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not charge any officers over the deaths.
The couple had originally fled to Goole in East Yorkshire after an attack on their Nottingham home, but later moved to Trusthorpe.
The report said: "There is no evidence of a proper risk assessment being carried out at the Trusthorpe address at any stage."
Details of the IPCC investigation will be shown on Inside Out in the East Midlands on Friday at 1930 GMT.Details of the IPCC investigation will be shown on Inside Out in the East Midlands on Friday at 1930 GMT.
The programme includes the first broadcast of tapes of a corrupt constable tipping off Colin Gunn's gang about police investigations.The programme includes the first broadcast of tapes of a corrupt constable tipping off Colin Gunn's gang about police investigations.