IPCC statement following conclusion of inquest into death of Simon Murden

A jury has returned a narrative verdict today following a seven-week inquest into the death of Simon Matthew Murden.

Mr Murden, 26, from Beverley, died after being shot by Humberside Police firearms officers during an incident near to the westbound carriageway of the A63 near Hull on 22 March 2005.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission investigated the incident and following today’s verdict, Nicholas Long, IPCC Commissioner for Yorkshire and Humberside said:

"This has been a difficult and traumatic time for those close to Simon – to lose a son, brother and friend in such tragic circumstances is something which I imagine must be virtually impossible to come to terms with. The Murden family have shown great dignity throughout this process, despite the enormous sense of loss they are experiencing. I thank them for their cooperation throughout our investigation.

"I am sure this has been a difficult time also for all those involved in the police operation on 22 March 2005. The IPCC recognises that police firearms officers have to make incredibly difficult, split-second decisions which can have fatal consequences.

"Simon Murden was a 26-year-old man who, from the evidence given by his family, had matured and developed a keen interest in world issues. However, on the morning of 22 March 2005 the jury found he was experiencing a psychotic episode which put him and others in a dangerous situation. The court heard evidence from those who were at the scene and this underlines how people can have very different perceptions of the same incident.

"I am proud of the work the IPCC investigation team has done in this case. The IPCC exists to provide independent oversight into the actions of police officers. Our investigation was a thorough, timely and fair examination of what happened on that morning.  As required we have laid the facts in this case before the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Coroner and our investigation has been tested by lawyers and a jury. The investigation has withstood this  examination."

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Notes for editors:

At approximately 6:45am on Tuesday 22 March 2005, 26-year-old Simon Matthew Murden sustained fatal injuries after being shot by Humberside Police firearms officers during an incident near to the westbound carriageway of the A63 at South Cave.

The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission via a telephone call from Humberside Police at 7:20am. IPCC investigators were immediately deployed to the scene. A decision was quickly taken to conduct an independent investigation.

An inquest jury returned a narrative verdict including the decision that all the shots fired by Humberside Police were justified.

Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North Region) Tel 07717 851323 Journalists with urgent media enquiries outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157.