Force rapped for failings in fatal shooting

VICTIM Anthony Grainger A POLICE force has been slammed for “catastrophic failings” in its fatal shooting of an unarmed man.

Anthony Grainger was being probed over alleged involvement in commercial robberies in March 2012.

The 36-year-old, from Bolton, was in a stolen Audi in Culcheth, Cheshire, when an officer thought he was reaching for a firearm and shot him in the chest.

After a public inquiry, Judge Thomas Teague QC said it was legally justified as he “honestly but mistakenly believed” he had a gun.

But he said the Greater Manchester Police operation was “incompetent”.

Mr Grainger’s partner, Gail Hadfield-Grainger, said: “This shows Anthony’s death could and should have been prevented.”

The force said it would consider the findings.