Police face public following Forest Hill shooting (From News Shopper)

Police face public following Forest Hill shooting

10:58am Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Politics By Mark Chandler

The scene yesterday

POLICE faced the public last night in a snap meeting following the shooting of a suspected car thief in Forest Hill.

It’s last minute nature meant a low turnout, but people still had the chance to grill borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Jeremy Burton.

Also present at St George’s Church in Vancouver Road was Commissioner Mike Franklin from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), who is leading an investigation into the shooting.

Mr Burton described how his officers were ‘pursued’ and threatened by an armed man on February 19 and had to call for back up in Stanstead Road.

Tasers were used which seemingly failed to subdue the man, who was then shot.

Though specifics, including the number of shots, could not be answered due to the IPCC investigation, there were a range of questions.

For many, the police shooting of Mark Duggan last year which sparked disorder across the capital loomed large.

Delores William, 41, of Catford Hill, asked: “Do you think we’re safe? A lot of us are concerned that things might start kicking off.”

Mr Burton replied: “There’s nothing at this stage we’ve seen that would indicate that. That’s something we’re really monitoring closely.”

Councillor Crada Onuegbu, cabinet member for community safety, mentioned whispers of “external agitators” planning trouble and said: “It falls to the community to say to them ‘not in our name’.”

Other points included “inflammatory” coverage on the BBC, reassurance for the area’s elderly, and the mental state of the victim at the time.

"I want to feel reassured."

A Hurstbourne Road resident voiced frustration that people had not been properly informed of the meeting – called just hours before it was due to begin.

She said: “This is a PR exercise which has been brought at the last minute.

“I want to feel reassured that my young black men aren’t walking along the street being shot by police.”

Det Ch Supt Burton said lessons would be learned and promised a further meeting.

Mr Franklin promised regular updates but said his investigation could take up to eight months.

He said: “If the truth doesn’t look good then so be it.”

The man, named George, is currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

The IPCC is looking to speak to anyone who saw the shooting. Call 0800 096 9077 or email foresthill@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk