The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has today launched an appeal for witnesses to assist them with their Hillsborough investigation. The IPCC is asking for witnesses who were at Hillsborough and gave their accounts to the Police to come forward as part of its investigation into the aftermath of the disaster. The investigation, which is the biggest undertaken into police misconduct in England and Wales, is examining police actions following the stadium disaster. This includes how West Midlands Police, the force appointed to accumulate evidence for Lord Justice Taylor's inquiry and the subsequent inquests, conducted its inquiries.
It is known that thousands of members of the public gave witness accounts to West Midlands Police, either in writing, via telephone or in face-to-face interviews. The IPCC wishes to speak with these people to understand more about their experiences and the process they went through. If you gave an account to West Midlands Police, the IPCC would like to hear from you. A dedicated online witness appeal form can be found here If you do not have access to the internet, or need assistance in completing the form, then you're able to telephone 0300 200 0003.
While the focus is on gathering evidence to assist with the investigation into West Midlands Police, the IPCC knows that some people have never given their account of what happened to them at Hillsborough on 15th April 1989 to any previous inquiry. The IPCC want to give those people the opportunity now.
IPCC Deputy Chair Deborah Glass said: "We know thousands of people gave eyewitness accounts to that investigation. We want to speak to those peopleabout their experiences of dealing with West Midlands Police. We also know some of you have never been able to give your account. This is your opportunity. I know this will be difficult for many of you. It will be difficult for you to recount these incredibly traumatic events. I know, for many of you, Saturday 15th April 1989 was, by far, the worst day of your life. I know many of you still carry deeply painful memories. It will be difficult for you to put your trust in the establishment after being let down so often in the past. It will be difficult for you to believe that after 24 years what you say can make a difference. But we need your help. And your help will make a difference. I can assure you we want everyone to have a voice.
Ms Glass added: "We understand you may need support to overcome your trauma, your fears, your lack of trust. We have spoken to some survivors to help us understand this and we can arrange that support for you. Don't think what you have to say is unimportant, or covers something that someone else will tell us. Whatever information you have will be important, it will matter. This is about listening to you. Hearing your experience can only assist our investigation. It will help us build the most comprehensive account there has ever been of what happened at Hillsborough – from the people who were there on the day. Witness evidence will be vital in helping to bring charges against any person or organisation found to be responsible.
Ms Glass concluded: "There are still many questions to be answered for the families of the 96 fans who died; for the survivors who still live with the trauma of their unimaginable experience; for the people of Merseyside who have lived under this terrible cloud for 24 years; and for the country to ensure the lessons of Hillsborough are fully learned. Families have told me that they don't want the next generation to suffer the way they have – they don't want their children to still be looking for answers. So we need to deliver the definitive account. We can't do that without your help. The families, survivors and campaigners have fought tirelessly over the last 24 years for the chance to allow your voices to finally be heard. Now that time has come.”
