Police watchdog: officers not yet absolved over death of Plymouth bookies gunman Alan Levers
A PROBE into whether the police played a role in the death of masked bookies gunman Alan Levers may not have been permanently dropped, officials have confirmed.
Brave punters jumped on Levers as he attempted to rob a Ladbrokes using a fake gun on Friday evening.
-
Alan Levers, who died after trying to rob a Plymouth bookies with a fake gun
The 50-year-old's death inside the Crownhill Road bookmaker had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The watchdog revealed yesterday how it had decided Levers' death could be investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
But a spokeswoman said: "It will be re-referred to us if necessary."
She added it was "categorically not the case" that the IPCC had formally cleared officers of any blame, as reported elsewhere.
"We are not making a judgement on what happened," the spokeswoman told The Herald.
"The IPCC has determined there should be an investigation. It will still be investigated, but locally, by the force."
It is understood Levers – who was wearing a gas mask and being pinned down by bookies customers when police arrived – was found to be unresponsive as officers went to arrest him.
The four people inside the Ladbrokes have been described as "brave" by the detectives leading the investigation.
8 Comments
by Tessa43
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 6:34PM
“Glad I don't work for the CPS as I would be so hated by most of you. What he did was wrong but to die for it was wrong too. They could see by the colour of his hair he was no spring chicken, so to sit on him is asking for trouble. It was a toy gun which they would have discovered as soon as they apprehended him, so why so much force to keep him there. His fingerprints would have been on the gun and DNA on the mask had they removed it so he could breathe. Sorry but there are no heroes here.”
by BS_Hater
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 2:54PM
“The most frightening thing here is that you all simply believe the Heralds storyline and that the Police are right and above any wrong doing.....
Lets not forget that a Police Officer was actually caught on video at a riot in London with his badge number taped over to avoid identification bludgeoning an innocent man who then died.
He got away with that (christ knows how!!!!).”
by PLYMFOX01
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 12:35AM
“The man was dead when the police arrived so which numpty is trying to blame the police? They are damed if they do and damned if they dont the police in this country.
The man had a list of convictions as long as his arm, I get the impression the Herald is trying to apportion blame which is totally out of order.”
by BettyD
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:19PM
“Jabba, I'm all for an investigation, but I don't like the first sentence or the sensational headline which hints that the police may be at fault, when in reality if he was unresponsive on their arrival how could they be unless they joined others already on top of levers.
I suspect that the Herald is mischief making in its reporting.”
by tellirhowitis
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:17PM
“The scumbag deserved to die. That is all”
by hahahahahaha
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:04PM
“Have you seen the size of most fellas down the bookies?
And four sat on him!
Ah well, he learned his lesson.
He shan't be doing that again.
If the same fate befell every "armed" robber, the world would be a far, far better place.
Just look at him.
Dying this way should act as some deterrent to others, and as such I suspect his self inflicted death is actually his lifetime's greatest achievement.
Personally I am glad that no more of my taxpayer's money will be spent on the likes of Levers.
I hope his last thought was "this is all my fault", as he'd have been right.”
by jabbathebutt
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:57PM
“@bettyD ... and if this death was brushed under the carpet what would you say ? They have to do this and deep down you know it . If you read between the lines it is just procedure .
So stop being a drama queen .”
by BettyD
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:32PM
“Well if he was already unresponsive on the Police's arrival how the hell can the police be to blame?????????????”