Britain’s most senior police officer believes a remembrance vigil for Mark Duggan will remain peaceful despite fury after an inquest jury found the 29-year-old was lawfully killed by a Scotland Yard marksman.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe met with political and community leaders from Tottenham, north London yesterday as part of moves to rebuild the fractured relationship with the police in the wake of the shooting.
Mr Duggan was gunned down when the taxi in which he was travelling was stopped by armed officers in Tottenham in August 2011, and his death sparked protests that in turn led to a wave of rioting and looting in England.
His family, who want a judicial review of the inquest conclusion, have refused to meet Scotland Yard top brass and are holding a protest vigil in Tottenham this weekend.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard said: “We’re all conscious that some people are very angry and we have to work hard to make sure that we provide a good police service for them too.
“The family are angry and to some extent confused by the verdict, but also they are shocked. They didn’t expect that verdict.
“It’s a terrible tragedy that someone’s lost a life in this case, and clearly the family want to register, I believe, their protest about the inquest. They’ve got every right to do that.
“We will continue to talk to the family and others to keep our communications alive, and also to make sure, as I believe, that the protest will happen and that there won’t be disorder.”
He would not be drawn on details of precautions that the force is taking in case of unrest.
Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron also appealed for peace in the wake of the jury’s conclusion, and his aunt Carole said she wanted “no more violence”.
The jury of seven women and three men found that it was more likely than not that Mr Duggan had a gun with him in the taxi, but had thrown the weapon on to a nearby grass verge before he was shot.
Speaking after meeting Sir Bernard yesterday, the Rev Nims Obunge, who buried Mr Duggan, said: “The message from the family is that this vigil is intended to be a very peaceful vigil. We expect that anybody who would come would stand with the family. It is a vigil in remembrance and respecting the life and death of Mark Duggan.
“His children will be there, and we don’t expect anybody to come to where his children are to create unrest or anarchy.”
Mr Cameron said: “These issues raise very strong emotions but I hope people can react calmly.”