Response to disclosure of potential risk of harm - West Midlands Police, July 2017

On 11 July 2017, on the basis of intelligence they had received, West Midlands Police put in place a ‘Threat to Life’ policy in respect of a man. On 15 July, officers attended the address where the man was believed to be staying, and spoke to family members. The following day, officers posted a warning notice, addressed to the man, alerting him to the risk, through the letterbox of the family home. The file was closed.

Several days later, officers attended the family home on a separate matter. The man was present. He told officers that numerous people, including an individual he identified by initials only, were after him. No further actions were deemed necessary by West Midlands Police in response to the man’s disclosure. Two days later, the man was shot. He sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

During the investigation, investigators reviewed the police file, took statements from officers, commissioned expert advice and reviewed local and national policies and procedures.

The investigation concluded there was no indication any police officer had behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence.a