WIREDGOV

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has decided not to conduct an  investigation into South Yorkshire Police’s handling of events at the Orgreave coking plant during the miners’ strike, and the subsequent prosecutions in 1984/85.

The decision follows an extensive scoping exercise relating specifically to the IPCC’s remit to investigate allegations of police misconduct.  The reasons include:

• the passage of time means that allegations of assault and of misconduct could not now be pursued
• some matters were subject to complaints and civil proceedings at the time
• detailed analysis has not revealed any other issues in relation to individual officers which could now be investigated

Thousands of pages of documents, film, and photographic material from across the country were gathered, secured and analysed for the first time as a result of the complex scoping exercise following South Yorkshire Police’s referral in November 2012.  New material continued to be identified and examined as late as December 2014.

The full rationale behind the IPCC’s decision is published today.

IPCC Deputy Chair Sarah Green said:

“The events at the Orgreave coking plant during May and June 1984 not only marked a critical point in the miners’ strike, but also in the relationships with, and trust in, the police. I recognise the seriousness of the allegations and their continuing effect on public confidence in the affected communities.  For that reason, we have made a careful and detailed analysis of material that has come in over a two-year period.

“These are events from more than 30 years ago, and I have considered the impact such a passage of time could have on an IPCC investigation and possible outcomes. In addition, because the miners arrested at Orgreave were acquitted or no evidence offered, there are no miscarriages of justice due to alleged police failures for the IPCC to investigate.  Allegations of offences amounting to minor assaults could not be prosecuted due to the passage of time; and as many of the police officers involved in events at Orgreave are retired, no disciplinary action could be pursued.

“I have therefore concluded that there should not be an IPCC led investigation.” 

For the full decision rationale and review report please click here.