`Westminster terrorist might not have been stopped any earlier by armed officer´
An armed police officer could not necessarily have intervened to stop the Westminster terror attacker earlier, the new Metropolitan Police chief has said.
Cressida Dick said it would be inappropriate to comment extensively on “what ifs” while reviews into the attack four weeks ago continue, but “we need to look at the lessons from what happened”.
Five people were killed, including Constable Keith Palmer, and dozens of others injured when Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before entering the grounds of the Palace of Westminster with a knife, where he was shot dead.
(Lauren Hurley/PA)
The incoming commissioner joined presenter Nick Ferrari on Leading Britain’s Conversation (LBC) radio, who asked her why the first point of contact with the terrorist was not an armed officer.
In one of her first interviews in her new role, Ms Dick said: “There were several armed officers within the vicinity, several armed officers protecting Parliament, we did protect Parliament. It’s an absolute tragedy that Keith was killed.
“I don’t think we can be certain, but let’s see what all the reviews say, but I really don’t think we can be certain that an armed officer would necessarily have been able to protect themselves or to intervene earlier.”
Cressida Dick with her deputy Craig Mackey at PC Keith Palmer's funeral (Gareth Fuller/PA)
Ms Dick’s first day as the new Scotland Yard chief saw her attend the funeral of murdered Pc Palmer, 48, a husband and father.
Looking forward, she said: “We need to be alert, and on the other hand I don’t think people need to be going around alarmed all the time. We want people to be going about their daily business as London showed, frankly, within hours and days of that terrible attack.”
She said she was “thrilled” to become the first female police commissioner and acknowledged the Met faces a number of challenges, taking calls from listeners about stop and search tactics, gang warfare, issues of trust, diversity and the impact of cuts on policing.
Speaking on @LBCthis morning the Commissioner has said 'We need to use stop and search in the fight against knife and gun crime' — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 18, 2017
Talking budgets on @LBC the Commissioner said there was room for efficiencies and added "and room to make use of technology" — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 18, 2017
Asked if there would ever be routine arming of the police, she replied: “I absolutely hope not”, adding that one of the main reasons for police officers’ close relationships with the communities they serve was due to being unarmed.