No charges for police over fatal shooting

Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man near Hull will not face charges, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

Simon Murden was shot by two police officers on March 22, 2005.

He had been driving the wrong way along the A63 dual carriageway near Hull.

The van he was driving collided with another vehicle, after which Simon was seen walking along the road carrying 'sword-type weapons'.

He was heading towards a petrol station, where there were members of the public, the officers attempted to stop him by firing baton rounds, but he failed to stop and was then shot and fatally wounded.

Explaining the decision, Director of Public Prosecutions Ken McDonald QC, said: "At the time that this tragic event occurred, Simon was acting in an unpredictable manner, carrying a form of weaponry that was capable of inflicting fatal injuries and moving determinedly towards an area where there members of the public. Even after initial baton rounds were fired, it was clear that he was determined to carry on towards the public. The officers who shot him have said that they honestly and genuinely believed that in those circumstances, force was necessary to protect themselves and others from lethal harm."

Commenting on the decision, Humberside's Chief Constable Tim Hollis said that the incident was "tragic in so many ways". He said: "It was tragic for the Murden family who will be struggling to come to terms with the death of a much loved son; and my thoughts and sympathies go out to all the family at this time.

"It was also a very sad event for Humberside Police. This was the first occasion in the history of the force when armed officers had shot and killed anyone, This despite the fact that armed police have deployed to hundreds of calls over the years without having to recourse to lethal force.

"My thoughts are, therefore, also with the officers involved and their families. The last 18 months have been very difficult for them too. They were deployed to an incident to protect the public. They were confronted by a volatile situation, They had only moments in which to make decisions which have been scrutinised and analysed at length by those responsible for investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"All my armed officers are volunteers and they carry a heavy burden in protecting the public, protecting unarmed officers and protecting themselves in difficult and demanding circumstances. I have a high regard for their commitment and their professionalism."

(KMcA/EF)