Police watchdog launches probe into Staffordshire force over its role managing London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan he was released from prison

• The IOPC had already begun an investigation into the terror attack
• It is launching a separate one about the force’s contact with Khan before attack
• The investigation into Staffordshire Police is ‘still in its very early stages’ 

Staffordshire Police will be investigated for its role in the management of London Bridge attacker Usman Khan following his release from prison, the police watchdog has said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) had already begun an investigation into the fatal shooting of Khan by Metropolitan and City of London Police officers, which is standard for such incidents.

But the watchdog has now launched a separate investigation after they received a referral from Staffordshire Police relating to its contact with the convicted terrorist, who was living in Stafford, prior to the attack.

Staffordshire Police is being investigated over its handling of Usman Khan, pictured in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, in 2010

After requesting further information from the force, the public body said it had concluded that a separate independent investigation should be conducted.

A statement released by the IOPC on Thursday said the investigation is ‘still in its very early stages’.

Sal Naseem, IOPC director of London, said: ‘Our separate investigation into the decisions and actions of Staffordshire Police has just begun and will be conducted alongside the investigation into the shooting.’

The watchdog had already begun an investigation into the fatal shooting of Khan by Metropolitan and City of London Police officers (pictured), which is standard for such incidents

Cambridge University graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were killed by Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event at London Bridge’s Fishmongers’ Hall.

Khan, who was armed with two knives and wearing a fake suicide vest, was tackled by members of the public, including ex-offenders from the conference, before he was shot dead by police.

It later emerged that Khan was released from prison on licence in December 2018, halfway through a 16-year prison sentence, after he was convicted of terror offences in February 2012.

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