Police shooting justified - IPCC

POLICE used “justified and proportionate force” when they shot and Tasered armed robbers planning a raid in Lancashire, a watchdog has ruled.

The gang included Richard Walsh (26), from Oldham, who suffered a broken nose and head injuries during his arrest, and his brother Jonathan (28), from Newton Heath, who was felled by a Taser.

Greater Manchester Police firearms officers arrested them in a supermarket car park in Haslingden in 2009.

Gavin Noakes (30), from Salford, suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot three times by a GMP firearms officer as he drove a Mini forwards and backwards to escape.

A self-loading pistol and a sledgehammer were found in the car.

All three, along with William Moore (28), of Ordsall, were convicted later of offences including conspiracy to rob.

Independent Police Complaints Commissioner Ms Naseem Malik said: “An operation such as this entails officers making split second decisions.

“In this instance their decision making was fully understandable and the force they chose to use, including the discharging of firearms, was entirely justified.

“This was an armed and dangerous criminal gang who were intent on escaping justice. They failed thanks to the bravery of the officers involved in the operation.”