Police watchdog rules shooting Streatham terrorist Sudesh Amman dead was justified use of force

A police watchdog has said the Met’s firearms squad was justified in shooting Streatham terrorist Sudesh Amman dead.

A report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) published today August 20 said: “Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers acted appropriately and proportionately to the threat that was posed.”

They fatally shot Sudesh Amman as he rampaged around Streatham High Road on 2 February 2020, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation concluded. He wounded two people, who both survived.

An inquest which finished today concluded it was a case of lawful killing. The jury took 11 hours of deliberation to reach their verdict. 

Two days before the attack, undercover officers spotted Amman buying four small bottles of Irn-Bru, kitchen foil and parcel tape from Poundland – items they feared could be used to make a hoax suicide belt.

Police and MI5 officers were so concerned about Amman they held an emergency meeting to discuss the prospect of arresting the recently released terrorist. But HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPS) decided not to recall him to prison. Amman was put under round-the-clock armed surveillance instead.

He had been released from HMP Belmarsh on 23 January 2020, part-way through a 40-month sentence for preparing and engaging in acts of terrorism.

The IOPC report stated: “We completed an investigation which looked at the police surveillance operation on the day of the shooting, the use of lethal force and the actions of the officers involved.

“We also produced a separate report which considered the MPS response to the threat posed by Mr Amman following his release from prison on 23 January 2020.

“This specifically examined the police analysis, decisions and actions taken as a result of intelligence available in relation to Mr Amman.

“Our view was that the MPS took appropriate actions based on the intelligence they had and the timing of tactical decisions demonstrated how the operation adapted quickly to changing circumstances.

“Neither of our reports indicated that the MPS officers involved may have committed a criminal offence or breached police professional standards. No organisational learning was identified.”

The IOPC has a duty to investigate all fatal police shootings. It began an independent investigation following a referral from the MPS on the day of the incident, in which two people were attacked with a knife.

The watchdog’s report into the police actions on the day of the shooting was completed in January and subsequently shared with the MPS and HM Coroner.

An inquest held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London ended today (Friday, 20 August) with the Coroner concluding that Mr Amman had been lawfully killed.

IOPC Regional Director for London Sal Naseem said: “This was an horrific attack, carried out in the middle of a busy Sunday afternoon while shoppers were going about their day.

“I would like to pay tribute to the police officers at the scene on Streatham High Street who acted swiftly and professionally to protect members of the public and remember everyone affected by this horrific incident.”

“The IOPC has a duty to investigate the circumstances surrounding all fatal police shootings, and in this case we found no indication any officer may have committed a criminal offence or breached professional standards. All officers were treated as witnesses throughout.

“We are now publishing our report (https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Sudesh%20Amman%20full%20investigation%20report_final_redacted_aug21.pdf) into the shooting following the conclusion of Mr Amman’s inquest.”

IOPC investigators analysed CCTV, mobile phone footage, ballistics evidence, witness statements, including those of the officers, and the relevant police policies and procedures for terrorism incidents.

Its statement adds: “We established that two MPS officers discharged a total of six shots. One bullet penetrated a supermarket window and another bullet penetrated a window at a pharmacy. A woman sustained minor injuries consistent with having been caused by flying glass.

“Throughout the course of our investigation we worked closely with the MPS to ensure our investigation did not impact on the MPS separate investigation into the terrorist incident. MPS counter terrorism officers and its Directorate of Professional Standards assisted us to secure, access and review a range of evidence.

“The separate report we produced in relation to the planning and conduct of the police operation concerning Mr Amman, after his early release from prison, is not being published due to the sensitive nature of the material it contains.”

The coroner Mr Justice Hilliard, at the conclusion of the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice, said: “Amman was prepared to risk his life… In stark contrast the Metropolitan Police surveillance teams were prepared to put themselves in harm’s way.

“They are all to be commended for their bravery, and they are owed a considerable debt of gratitude for their bravery.”

Dean Haydon, for the Met’s Specialist Operations, said: “I want to pay tribute to the courage shown by the officers in relation to how they pursued the attacker but also stopped anybody else coming to harm.

“This demonstrates the true professionalism shown by them but also their bravery in the face of danger.”