Police relaunch PC Blakelock murder inquiry

A new inquiry has been launched into the murder of Police Constable Keith Blakelock, who was hacked to death by a mob during the Broadwater Farm riots 18 years ago.

The new lines of inquiry follow a three-year review of the killingin Tottenham, north London, in October 1985. Scotland Yard is also re-investigating the attempted murder of a second officer, PC Richard Coombes, who was injured with a machete in the riots.

Three men - Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip - were found guilty of PC Blakelock's murder, but in 1991 their convictions were overturned after the Court of Appeal heard that police fabricated evidence. Mr Silcott was released two months ago after serving 18 years for killing a boxer in an unrelated case.

Officers reviewing the Blakelock case have checked more than 6,000 statements and considered developments in forensic science. Detectives are expected to test for new DNA evidence and question witnesses and possible suspects.

The Broadwater Farm riots were sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett, 49, who died of heart failure after four policemen raided her home. PC Blakelock, who was 40, died while confronting a mob on the estate. He suffered 42 separate wounds.

Tony Murphy, the solicitor representing Mr Silcott, said "a proper investigation" into the death of PC Blakelock would be welcome. He added: "Mr Silcott has nothing to fear from this and has never been contacted by the Metropolitan Police during their numerous attempts to re-investigate this matter. Mr Silcott calls for a full public inquiry into his wrongful conviction on the basis of discredited police evidence."

Elizabeth Johnson, PC Blakelock's widow, said she was convinced his killers would be brought to justice. "The Metropolitan Police are are totally dedicated and the years have not blunted their determination to catch Keith's killers," she said yesterday.

"I am confident that will happen. I have a lot of faith in the people conducting this inquiry. We have to believe in them and we have to believe those responsible will face justice, despite the passage of time ... There have been great advances in technology, which were not available 10 years ago, which will enable them to look again at the evidence."

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur,head of the Specialist Crime Directorate, said: "We accept that the decision to launch this fresh investigation will be difficult for some sections of the community. We are grateful for the input we have received, particularly from Keith's family, the local community and the wider black community, whose views have greatly shaped how we will approach this new inquiry."