Police watchdog make decision on Manchester Arena cops who took two-HOUR kebab break on night of bomb

Two British Transport Police (BTP) officers who went on a two-hour dinner break on the night of the Manchester Arena attack have been handed final written warnings.

PCs Jessica Bullough and Mark Renshaw had a break of more than two hours on the night after going on a 10-mile round trip to buy kebabs from Longsight, at a time when suicide bomber Salman Abedi was stalking the arena complex.

Five BTP officers were ordered to police the concert that night and their sergeant stipulated at least one of them was to be stationed in the foyer where the blast happened from 10pm, some 30 minutes before the end of a pop concert.

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But no BTP officer was in the City Room - where the blast happened - for 31 minutes until the moment Salman Abedi detonated a huge device in his backpack in May 2017, killing 22 and injuring hundreds more as mainly young concert-goers were leaving the Monday night Ariana Grande gig.

Today the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed two un-named officers, understood to be PCs Bullough and Renshaw, had been given final written warnings.

Following a complaint from Arena families, the IOPC ordered BTP to investigate the actions of two police constables and two police community support officers (PCSOs) who were responsible for patrolling the Arena on the night of the attack in 2017.

The IOPC found one of the police officers and one of the PCSOs, who is now employed as a BTP police constable, should face disciplinary proceedings 'in relation to the timing and length of their refreshment breaks, as well as allegations they failed to follow instructions from a senior officer'.

The watchdog confirmed a misconduct meeting, held on May 10, found the case proven against both individuals. They were given final written warnings which will remain in force for the next two years.

The IOPC also recommended that BTP apologises to the families 'for the shortcomings in the policing operation on the night', which has been accepted by the force.

The watchdog also examined whether there was any evidence 'of a wider practice within BTP regarding officers taking extended breaks in similar circumstances'.

The IOPC said: "The evidence showed that BTP officers were given clear instructions about the lengths of refreshment breaks. While the lengths of their breaks were not recorded, so we could not rule out the possibility that longer breaks had also been taken at other Arena events, we found no persuasive evidence to suggest this was normal or accepted practice."

IOPC Regional Director Mel Palmer said: “The atrocities committed on the night of 22 May 2017 at the Manchester Arena have had a devastating effect on the lives of so many. Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the victims, and all those affected by this appalling act of terror.

“Nothing can bring back the lives lost, or make up for the pain and suffering experienced by the bereaved, but it is important that the actions of the police are thoroughly scrutinised, mistakes are acknowledged and lessons are learned.

“That is why we have carefully reviewed the steps taken by BTP to address the areas for improvement identified in the Inquiry report, and also recommended that the force apologises to the complainants.

“This investigation has also ensured the two individuals whose actions fell below the standards expected by the public, and who ignored instructions from a senior officer, have now been held accountable.”

Another BTP officer who was the subject of the complaint had retired before the investigation began, said the IOPC.

"We reached the view that the evidence indicated there would have been no case to answer for either misconduct or gross misconduct, had they still been serving," said the IOPC.

The watchdog continued: "We have also made a provisional decision in relation to the other PSCO, who has since taken up a different role at Greater Manchester Police. This has been shared with GMP and we await a response, which is required before we can finalise our decision."