KILLER’S AMMO BLUNDER
Arsenal discovered in Dryden’s house
AMMUNITION was discovered stashed in the home of planning row killer Albert Dryden decades after it was searched and declared safe by police.
The astonishing discovery at Dryden’s home in The Grove, Consett, was handed in to the town’s police station sparking an evacuation of the surrounding area.
Dryden was jailed for life in 1991 for the murder of council officer Harry Collinson, who he shot dead after being ordered to demolish his illegally-built bungalow.
After he was jailed, Durham Constabulary searched Dryden’s property and removed a quantity of weapons.
Now The Grove Community and Residents’ Association has written to Mike Barton, Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, asking the force to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the find last month.
A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said it was unclear how long the ammunition had been there.
In the letter, John Hinds, secretary of the association, said: “In 1991 we are led to believe Durham Constabulary had searched his address and ammunition and weapons were recovered. Can you therefore explain why all the ammunition and weapons were not recovered in 1991 and left in his house for 27 years, putting not only our residents at potential risk of harm or worse.
“The location of this property has, at the far end of the street, our two junior schools located on either side near Priestman Avenue and if there was to be an explosion at this address that still had ammunition located in it the consequences could have been catastrophic.”
Dryden was known to have a fascination with weapons and it was well-known locally that he had guns and ammunition at his home.
The 77-year-old was released from prison after suffering a stroke and died in September this year.
It is understood the ammunition was found when his sisters were clearing out the house.
Mr Hinds said GCRA backed calls for a public inquiry into the find and added: “But more importantly we expect Durham Constabulary to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“If the Constabulary cannot or will not refer themselves then our association will not have any other option than to make a direct complaint to it.”
Durham County Councillor Alex Watson, who saw Dryden before his death, called on a public inquiry to be held to establish why ammunition was left in the house.
He said it was “unacceptable” and “incomprehensible” that lives had been put at risk for nearly three decades.
A police spokesman said a search was carried out in 1991.
He added: “However, further material appears to have come to light during a recent house clearance which was handed in at Consett Police Station, including a number of components of ammunition.
“A search of the house was carried out by police and no further viable firearms or explosives were found. All material has now been safely disposed of.
“It remains unclear how long the material recovered from the house had been stored at that address.”
The force said advances in technology meant it was confident record-keeping had improved since 1991.