Statement upon publication of the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s recommendations following the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack

Today (10 June 2021), the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has published its recommendations following the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack which are being implemented nationally by police forces.

The IOPC began its investigations following the attack which resulted in the tragic deaths of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones.

One of its investigations focused on the actions of Staffordshire Police, who were involved in the management of the attacker, as part of the wider counter terrorism policing approach. This identified several areas of learning around the wider training practices, policies and guidance for managing registered terrorist offenders, but it did not identify wrongdoing by any officers. 

Today, following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of the attacker, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner and Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Neil Basu, issued a statement about the changes which are being implemented since this attack.

Staffordshire Police's Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Justin Bibby, said: “On behalf of Staffordshire Police, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of Jack and Saskia; to the survivors of this terrible attack, and to all those who have been affected by it.

“At the time the attacker was released from prison, Staffordshire Police was involved in his management, as part of the wider counter terrorism policing approach.

“The IOPC investigation highlighted areas of learning around the training, practices, policies and guidance for managing registered terrorist offenders, which are now being implemented by policing nationally.”