24 Hours in Police Custody - statement from John Tizard

The bravery and professionalism of police officers and their action shown in the latest episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody was commendable. The swift arrest of the perpetrator saved lives. We owe every officer and member of staff on this case a massive 'thank you'.

This tragic case also starkly reminds us of the reality of the current legal shortcomings and law relating to the private sale and exchange of firearms. 

It demonstrates what can go horribly wrong under the current arrangements.

Following the sentencing of the perpetrator of the triple murder, I wrote to the then Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper urging her to review and modernise the legislation. 

I called for the police to have the duty and powers to pre-authorise and control the private transfer of firearms before they fell into the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. And for a national firearms database.

She replied that the government was urgently looking into revising the legislation. 

Unfortunately, we still await action.  Consequently, I wrote a further letter to the new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood when she took up office a few weeks ago. The Home Office are committed to take action and consultation is expected soon.

I am confident the government will act but there is a real urgency so that tragic events we saw unfold in Luton can never happen again.