OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

GPMS RESTRICTED
8.202 A call to the police from a member of the public at the scene where
Harry BERGER was injured shows the confusion they felt when the
police did not stop to assist them.
8.203 The three ARVs had the sole aim to locate and stop Derrick BIRD
and although the officers briefly spoke to the members of the public
they continued their pursuit of him.
OBSERVATION 8:
The overriding priority of the police service is to protect the public.
These officers had to decide whether to stop and render first aid or to
continue in their efforts to locate and stop Derrick BIRD before he could
kill or injure anyone else. The casualty was being cared for by members
of the public and on reflection the review team believes that these
firearms officers made the right decision and continued to search for
Derrick BIRD in an attempt to prevent further loss of life.
8.204 At 11:29 hrs Cumbria Constabulary informed the North West
Ambulance Service that military helicopters were available to assist
them with any casualty evacuation that they could not resource. The
helicopters were not deployed.
02/06/2010 11:29:03 I’ve got two RAF helicopters that are actually gonna
travel to Workington erm police station the cricket
pitch behind there now they will be available to you
if you wish to sort of erm
8.205 Drigg Road
8.206 At 11:30 hrs Derrick BIRD drove along the seafront onto Drigg Road
where Michael PIKE, who was cycling in the same direction, was
travelling ahead of his car.
8.207 Derrick BIRD drew alongside Michael where he fired twice. The first
shot missed but the second hit Michael in the neck which killed him
instantly.
OBSERVATION 9:
Taking account of the fact that it is now only one hour since Cumbria
Constabulary have been made aware of a crime in action with no prior
warning, they have approximately 30 armed officers deployed across
the County. Many forces with considerably larger numbers of
resources would have found it difficult to deploy such large numbers of
armed officers within such a time period.
8.208 At 11:32 hrs Derrick BIRD continued along Drigg Road, stopping
adjacent to a well known, local lady, Jane ROBINSON, who was
delivering catalogues.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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