06 November 2004
For immediate release

IPCC to investigate police use of baton rounds in Blackpool

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to manage the investigation into an incident involving the use of baton rounds by officers from Lancashire Constabulary in Blackpool at approximately 10pm on Friday 5 November.

The incident began when officers from Lancashire Constabulary responded to a report of a man with a sawn off shotgun in the Laughing Donkey pub on the South Pier.

Initially unarmed officers were sent to the Laughing Donkey pub, and then firearms officers subsequently attended and contained the scene.

When the man left the pub, armed officers challenged the man several times and then discharged their baton guns, hitting him. The officers arrested the man on suspicion of possession of a firearm. He was taken to Blackpool Police Station where a doctor examined him. He was then taken to hospital for an assessment. He is now back at Blackpool Police Station and his injuries are thought to be minor at this stage.

Jane Farleigh, IPCC Regional Director sent an investigator to the scene to assess the situation in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 6 November). Following this assessment it has been decided that the IPCC will manage the investigation, which will be carried out by officers from Lancashire Constabulary.

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Notes to editors:

  • The IPCC took over responsibility for police complaints in England and Wales on 1 April 2004 from the Police Complaints Authority.
  • The IPCC is a new organisation with increased powers and responsibilities.  All serious incidents involving death or serious injury, allegations of racially discriminatory behaviour and corruption must be referred to the IPCC.  It then decides how the investigation should be investigated.  
  • Since 1 April the IPCC has started to investigate 14 incidents independently, using its own team of investigators - including a fatal shooting in Launceston, Cornwall and complaints concerning the pro-hunting lobby of Parliament.   The IPCC is also managing 61 new investigations and started supervising inquiries into 341 incidents.
  • The IPCC has new powers to decide appeals against the police service’s refusal to record a complaint and the outcome of complaints investigated by the police service themselves.   It also has a guardianship role and is responsible for setting standards that the police service must meet when investigating complaints from members of the public.
  • The 18 Commissioners appointed to the Commission have never, by law, been employed by the police service.
  • The IPCC has its headquarters in London and four regional offices serving London & South East, Wales & South West, Central and Northern England.

For further information, please contact Siobhan Sheerin, IPCC Press Officer on   020 7166 3250. Out of hours on 07717 851 157.