Two cops who took a two-hour kebab break as the Manchester Arena attack was unfolding have been given final written warnings
British Transport Police (BTP) officers PCs Jessica Bullough and Mark Renshaw went to buy fast food in Longsight – a 10-mile round trip from Manchester Arena. The pair had been on their break for more than two hours on the night suicide bomber Salman Abedi was stalking the arena complex, Manchester Evening News reports.
Five BTP officers were sent to police the Ariana Grande gig that night, with clear rules from their sergeant that at least one of them was to be stationed in the foyer where the blast broke out from 10pm, around 30 minutes before concert was due to end. But the room was left without an officer for 31 minutes, until Salman Abedi detonated a huge device in his backpack in May 2017, killing 22 and injuring hundreds more.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today confirmed two un-named officers, understood to be PCs Bullough and Renshaw, were given final written warnings.
A complaint from Arena families prompted an investigation by BTP into the actions of the officers patrolling the building on the night of the horror attack.
The IOPC concluded that one police officer and one of the PCSOs, who now works as a BTP constable, should face disciplinary proceedings "in relation to the timing and length of their refreshment breaks, as well as allegations they failed to follow instructions from a senior officer". A misconduct meeting, held on May 10, found the case proven against both individuals, who were given final written warnings in place for the next two years.
The IOPC also encouraged BTP to apologise to the families "for the shortcomings in the policing operation on the night", which has been accepted by the force. There was a further investigation into whether there was any evidence "of a wider practice within BTP regarding officers taking extended breaks in similar circumstances".
The IOPC said: "The evidence showed that BTP officers were given clear instructions about the lengths of refreshment breaks. While the lengths of their breaks were not recorded, so we could not rule out the possibility that longer breaks had also been taken at other Arena events, we found no persuasive evidence to suggest this was normal or accepted practice."
IOPC Regional Director Mel Palmer said: "The atrocities committed on the night of 22 May 2017 at the Manchester Arena have had a devastating effect on the lives of so many. Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the victims, and all those affected by this appalling act of terror."
"Nothing can bring back the lives lost, or make up for the pain and suffering experienced by the bereaved, but it is important that the actions of the police are thoroughly scrutinised, mistakes are acknowledged and lessons are learned. That is why we have carefully reviewed the steps taken by BTP to address the areas for improvement identified in the Inquiry report, and also recommended that the force apologises to the complainants."
"This investigation has also ensured the two individuals whose actions fell below the standards expected by the public, and who ignored instructions from a senior officer, have now been held accountable", she added.
Another BTP officer who was the subject of the complaint had retired before the investigation began, said the IOPC. It said: "We reached the view that the evidence indicated there would have been no case to answer for either misconduct or gross misconduct, had they still been serving."
The watchdog continued: "We have also made a provisional decision in relation to the other PSCO, who has since taken up a different role at Greater Manchester Police. This has been shared with GMP and we await a response, which is required before we can finalise our decision."