IPCC releases findings of investigation into fatal shooting of Robert Haines

Following the conclusion of an inquest the Independent Police Complaints Commission has published the findings of its investigation into the death of Robert Haines.

Mr Haines was shot by an armed Metropolitan Police officer in New Romney, Kent on Tuesday 31 October 2006, following an armed robbery at the Nationwide building society. The jury at the inquest, which was held at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, found that Mr Haines died of multiple gun shot wounds after discharging a sawn off shot gun as armed police tried to arrest him. They found he was lawfully killed .

The IPCC deployed investigators to the scene of the shooting within hours of the incident and completed the report in November 2007, when it was given to the Coroner. The IPCC can now release the findings of its investigation, which were:

• The officer’s decision to discharge a firearm was an appropriate and justifiable response to the threat Mr Haines presented to him, the public and his colleagues,
• It was justified for the police to conduct surveillance on Mr Haines and other suspects in relation to the series of armed robberies, and
• It was highly unlikely the arrest of Mr Haines prior to the 31 October would have provided sufficient evidence to charge him with an offence.

IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said:

"The death of anyone is a tragedy that rightly leads loved ones to ask if anything could have been done that may have changed the outcome. This is particularly the case when that person has died following the actions of the police. Our thorough investigation set out to answer those questions and I hope it has helped Mr Haines’ family and loved ones understand what happened and why.

"The officer was responding to a clear threat to his and others’ life when he discharged his gun. The decision making and planning during the operation was also subjected to review and it was found to be professional throughout. The review considered whether an arrest could have been made at a different point in the operation. We concluded any arrest before the robbery would more than likely not have gathered sufficient evidence to charge, and the decision to intervene as he entered the car park provided the best opportunity to safely control a dynamic and potentially dangerous situation.”

Background:

The IPCC’s independent investigation established that the MPS Flying Squad indentified Mr Haines and others as suspects for a number of armed robberies in south east London and Kent. As a consequence an intelligence led surveillance operation began in 2006.  

The operation progressed and it became apparent the gang may have been planning an armed robbery in the Ashford or New Romney area. At this point, as firearms had been used in previous linked armed robberies, a senior MPS officer authorised the use of firearms as part of the surveillance operation. The then Kent Police Deputy Chief Constable authorised the armed Met Police operation in Kent and agreed a protocol.

Armed officers were deployed to New Romney and Ashford on Tuesday 31 October 2006 and at approximately 19.45 that evening Mr Haines, was seen by police to approach a security guard delivering cash to the building society. He was armed with a sawn off shot gun and wore a black balaclava. The guard was threatened by Mr Haines who made off with a substantial amount of money. He ran down an alleyway to a nearby car park where an accomplice was waiting in a car.

As Mr Haines ran down the alleyway the order was given for an armed intervention. Armed officers approached Mr Haines and identified themselves. The officers saw Mr Haines turn to face them and in the same motion point the gun at them.

The shot gun was discharged and one officer returned fire, delivering three shots. The discharge of all four shots was captured on the sound track of a video recording of  the robbery. It has been established from the sound track that all four shots were discharged in under one second.

Mr Haines fell to the ground, police medics gave him first aid and an ambulance attended. Mr Haines was taken to William Harvey Hospital where he was pronounced dead later that evening.

Investigation and findings:

The IPCC investigation also reviewed the authority to carry out surveillance on Mr Haines and other suspects as well as the grounds upon which the carrying of firearms was authorised. It concluded the MPS and Kent Police senior officers were right to authorise both. The IPCC investigation has not identified any fundamental flaws in the operation.

It did highlighted areas of learning in relation to terminology and risk assessments. However, it is not the report’s findings that these matters affected the nature of the operation nor did they result in Mr Haines being shot.

The review considered the decision of a firearms officer to use a taser Mr Haines after he had been shot. Considering the evidence of firearms officers who believed Mr Haines may still have had the shotgun, the use of the taser was found to be an appropriate tactic to minimise the potential risk. The evidence also suggests that the Taser did not connect properly to Mr Haines.  

During the course of reviewing surveillance video of the incident, IPCC investigators identified an unprofessional comment made by a constable. The constable concerned was not in the immediate vicinity of the shooting and would not have known Mr Haines had been shot. On this basis we recommended he receive management advice.

-Ends-

Media advise:

Please note a DVD of the robbery at the Nationwide Building Society is available from the IPCC press office. The footage also shows in the background after Mr Haines runs away from the robbery the flashlights of the armed officers as they challenge him and flashes as firearms are discharged.

Please call 020 7166 3978 or 020 7166 3000 to request a copy.

For further information please contact:

Neil Coyte, Corporate, News and Planning

Tel: 020 7166 3978