Wiltshire’s Chief Constable has apologised for mistakes made by the force during the Novichok incidents of 2018, following the publication of the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report.
The report, released at midday today, 4th December, found that no medical intervention could have saved 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess, who died after being exposed to the military-grade nerve agent used in the attempted assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.
Inquiry chair Lord Anthony Hughes ruled that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “morally responsible” for Ms Sturgess’s death, describing her as “collateral damage” in what he called a planned and deliberate show of Russian power.
The report also highlighted failures in how Sergei Skripal was managed as an exchanged prisoner and recommended that police be alerted when individuals with “sensitive backgrounds” move into their areas.
In a statement released soon after the report’s publication, Chief Constable Catherine Roper said her thoughts were with Ms Sturgess’s family, who have spent more than seven years waiting for answers.
She acknowledged that Wiltshire Police had contributed to their distress.
“Dawn was wrongly described by Wiltshire Police as a known drug user – this was not correct and should never have happened. For this, I am truly sorry,” she said.
The Chief Constable also addressed concerns raised by the Inquiry about the police response to the second Novichok incident, including communication and coordination with other emergency services.
Roper said the force had identified 21 areas for improvement during the Inquiry hearings, ranging from better sharing of specialist Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) advice with frontline officers to enhanced multi-agency training.
Other changes include:
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Recording emergency services “huddles” on body-worn video for transparency
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Ensuring only factual, objective information is recorded on police systems
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Strengthening partnership working through Wiltshire’s Local Resilience Forum
She confirmed that Wiltshire Police fully accepts the Inquiry’s recommendations and will incorporate them into ongoing organisational learning.
Roper recognised the profound impact the 2018 poisonings had on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, former Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, Ms Sturgess’s partner Charlie Rowley, and their wider families.
“These events also impacted many of our officers, staff and volunteers,” she said, thanking those who supported the response and the continued counter-terrorism investigation.
The Chief Constable said communities in Salisbury and Amesbury had also carried the emotional burden of the incidents.
“Whilst they will not be defined by the malicious actions of those seeking to cause harm, they have had to acknowledge that this now forms part of their modern-day history,” she added.
Residents will continue to be supported by local neighbourhood policing teams.
Roper encouraged anyone who wishes to help shape future policing to consider joining one of the force’s Independent Advisory Groups.
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