National press used 'invasive tactics' after Cumbria shootings

The former chief constable of Cumbria police has told the Leveson inquiry that parts of the national press used "highly invasive tactics" after the shootings in Cumbria in 2010, when dealing with the local community.

The shootings by taxi driver Derrick Bird occurred on 2 June 2010 in West Cumbria, killing 12 people and injuring 11 others.

In evidence to the inquiry Craig Mackey, who is now deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said he spoke to an MP about his concerns over the "behaviour of some sections of the media towards the communities and individuals in West Cumbria, where highly invasive tactics were being used by some elements of the media".

Giving evidence alongside Mackey today, Gillian Shearer, head of marketing and communications at Cumbria police added in her written statement that "there was a noticeable difference between the attitudes of local and national reporters from a press office point of view".

"This perception was also reflected in feedback officers received from the community."

In fact in July 2010 MP for Copeland Jamie Reed praised coverage by local media of the shootings in Whitehaven, with local journalists said to have reported with "care and diligence".

Today Shearer said however that "members of the press office were shocked at the aggression that national journalists showed throughout the duration of the incident - but particularly on scene".

"Reporters were seen to literally stamp their feet and evade a press officers’ personal space, forcing them to take a step back. This made their time managing the media and their increasing demands quite uncomfortable."

In oral evidence to the inquiry today Shearer said that families were "completely and utterly overwhelmed" by the media interest.

She said that after the incident took place and in light of "the impending inquests ... and subsequent pressure that this would put on the officers who were suffering from shock themselves", a decision was taken that the press would only be able to interview "senior, appointed spokespeople".

She added that "the unprecedented level of interest and pressure" faced by affected family members saw the police force's press office develop "links with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) for the first time to offer additional support and information".

In oral evidence today Shearer added that the PCC had asked that families contacted the commission "with issues".

Lord Justice Leveson asked Shearer to share with the inquiry related emails sent between the PCC and the press office.

Also during the evidence session DC Mackey said the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is currently looking at the feasibility of all contact between "key members" of the force and the press being recorded and published online for greater transparency.

Mackey said the potential move was being assessed in relation to contact between the media and management board members.

Mackey also said it is recommended that notes are taken by police officers of all contact with the press, but stressed this only need be a record of the fact a meeting took place, as opposed to a "verbatim transcript" of the conversation.

Earlier this year a report commissioned by the MPS and produced by former parliamentary standards commissioner Dame Elizabeth Filkin, recommended that officers record all contact with the media, and that senior officers should monitor the logs.

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