Dawn Sturgess Inquiry to begin next week

The inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess as a result of coming into contact with Novichok is due to begin on Monday (October 14th).

The inquiry starts in Salisbury's Guildhall before moving to London with the aim of understanding the incidents which led to Ms Sturgess' death following the Novichok attack on the Skirpals in 2018.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “It is important to remember that at the heart of this Inquiry are Dawn’s family and loved ones whose lives have been irreversibly changed.

“We also fully appreciate the impact that the Inquiry starting in our county might have on our local communities. It will, undoubtedly, bring back some difficult memories for those who were living and working in Salisbury and Amesbury in 2018.

“Our collective focus, therefore, remains on supporting our communities and ensuring Wiltshire Police continue to provide the local policing service that our communities need.

“Extensive planning has been ongoing for several months locally and nationally to ensure the Inquiry can run uninterrupted. The purpose is to provide Dawn’s family, friends and our wider communities in Wiltshire the opportunity to access the fullest possible information surrounding Dawn’s death.

“In addition to our status as a Core Participant to the Inquiry, while it is sitting in Salisbury, we also have responsibility for the policing operation outside of the Guildhall. We have developed a proportionate policing plan which will be resourced, largely, by our Neighbourhood Policing colleagues. These are familiar faces within the community with strong, local connections.

“Although our communities in Salisbury city centre will likely see an increased policing presence for the duration of the Salisbury hearing, there is no current intelligence to suggest there is any risk to the wider public.

“Our policing response to the Inquiry is in line with other, similar-sized public events.

“Importantly, I would like to reassure our communities that there will be no impact on the local policing provision within and around Salisbury or the wider county during the opening week of the Inquiry.

“To support our communities living in certain areas of the city that we expect could draw a sharp media focus during the hearings, we’ve already started to increase foot patrols.

“Finally, I would urge any members of our communities who might have questions or concerns linked to the Inquiry to reach out to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team – they are there to support you in any way they can.”