M62 police shooting: watchdog investigation findings won't be complete until at least Spring 2018

Mr Yaqub, 28, from Crosland Moor, was shot by a West Yorkshire Police firearms officer during a police operation off Junction 24 of the M62 on 2 January 2017. He died at the scene.

The IPCC have now revealed they will not be able to complete the investigation until the conclusion of the criminal trial of Moshin Amin, who was arrested as part of the same police operation.

The IPCC say throughout the investigation they've treated all of the police officers involved as witnesses and provided Mr Yaqub’s family with regular progress updates.

Steve Noonan is the IPCC’s acting Director of Operations for the North of England and is overseeing this investigation: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Yassar Yaqub as we approach the anniversary of his death. This has been a complex investigation so far; our investigators have completed many lines of enquiry and collated and analysed a substantial amount of evidence. It will take time to carefully translate this into our final report and produce the clearest picture possible of the actions of West Yorkshire Police the night Yassar Yaqub was fatally shot.

“I’m sure everyone involved, and all those following this investigation, will want us to consider every possible detail in this case before reaching our conclusions and that’s exactly what we are doing. I am pleased to say that, although there is still some time to go before we can publish our findings, this investigation continues to remain on-track.

“As I have stated previously, and this continues to be the case, the IPCC will not publish findings from this investigation at this time because it is likely that information arising from it will be used in evidence during criminal proceedings to be held later this year. To publish before the trial could prejudice those proceedings.

“In addition, there is a possibility that investigators will need to consider evidence given at the trial of Moshin Amin in April next year as part of their ongoing work. It is my view that the investigators should be given time to properly assess any new or relevant information that may be presented during the criminal proceedings.”

The IPCC have released details of what the investigation has completed and established so far:

• A non-police issue firearm, a handgun, was found in the vehicle in which Mr Yaqub was a passenger. The weapon, as well as the ammunition and sound moderator found in the vehicle, has been forensically examined and tested.

• Forensic examination of the vehicle in which Mr Yaqub was a passenger and its contents, and ongoing work regarding the data from mobile phones recovered from the vehicle.

• Confirmation that there is no body worn video, dash cam footage or CCTV footage of the incident.

• Analysis of CCTV capturing some of Yassar Yaqub’s movements in the hours before his death – this is currently under review.

• Initial accounts and some additional detailed accounts from officers at the scene, who remain witnesses to the investigation at this time, have been collated and reviewed.

• Statements taken from witnesses travelling on the M62 at the time of the incident and those living nearby.