Police Response
Hungerford was policed by two Sergeants and twelve Constables, and on the morning of 19 August 1987 the duty cover for the section consisted of one Sergeant, two Patrol Constables and one Station Duty Officer.
A number of factors hampered the police response:
- The telephone exchange could not handle the number of 999 calls made by witnesses.
- The Thames Valley firearms squad were training 40 miles away.
- The police helicopter was in for repair, though was eventually deployed.
- Only two phone lines were in operation at the local police station which was undergoing renovation.
Read more about this topic: Hungerford Massacre
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