Cops right to shoot car tyres

Probe justifies getaway vehicle action

Police officers who shot the tyres of a suspected attempted murder criminal’s getaway car on a Carfin street have had their actions approved.

Investigators concluded last week officers were justified in shooting the tyres of the car last year which had rammed a police car in an attempt to escape and contained a suspect with a history of violence.

Officers were investigating a number of firearms incidents which they believed were linked to an ongoing feud.

The suspect’s DNA had been identified on a weapon recovered from another car involved in the investigation.

They had also received intelligence he intended to carry out a “serious act of violence”.

Cops then received information the suspect, believed to be involved in the feud, and two other men were seen travelling in a car at Thorndene Avenue in Carfin.

When officers arrived on the evening of April 19 last year, and attempted to stop the car, the driver reversed into a police vehicle in a bid to escape.

Seven firearms officers pointed their weapons at the occupants and two of the officers fired tyre deflation rounds, one into each of the rear wheels, to prevent the car from moving and the occupants escaping.

Police then arrested the three men and the suspect was detained for attempted murder and firearms offences.

He was one of a number of men sentenced last month at the High Court in Glasgow following an extensive police operation.

Police Investigations and Review Commissioner Kate Frame, said: “The police had reliable intelligence they were dealing with a suspect who had a history of violence and access to firearms.

“They also had information he was planning to carry out an act of serious violence that day and therefore posed a high risk both to the public and the police.

“Taking all this into account, firearms officers were justified ... to disable the car to prevent the suspect escaping and any harm coming to the officers and public.”