Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Joe Robinson

Ref: 2021-0074 Date: 15 Mar 2021 Coroner: Alison Mutch Area: Greater Manchester South Responses identified: 1 / 2 View PDF

Police were unable to prevent a large, illegal gathering with no safety provisions, and concerns remain about whether lessons learned regarding policing such events have been effectively shared.

Date 15 Mar 2021

56-day deadline 10 May 2021 est.

Responses identified 1 of 2

Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths Police related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

Police were unable to prevent a large, illegal gathering with no safety provisions, and concerns remain about whether lessons learned regarding policing such events have been effectively shared.

View full coroner's concerns

The inquest heard that Joe Peter Robinson attended a large gathering with approximately 4,000 people in attendance. The gathering was not licensed and was in breach of the Coronavirus legislation. Alcohol and drugs were available and there were no first aid or paramedic facilities available on the site of the event. Social distancing was not followed.

The evidence before the inquest was that Greater Manchester Police became aware of the event but felt unable to prevent it from continuing. The inquest was told that at the time GMP did not have a clear plan to deal with such a situation. However, since this event at Daisy Nook and a similar one that same night also in South Manchester they have developed a robust plan and there have not been similar large scale illegal gatherings.

What was not clear from the inquest was whether the lessons learnt of the need for policing plans to prevent such events occurring and reduce the risk of future deaths occurring had been shared and embedded in other Force Areas.

Responses

1 respondent

Home Office Central Government

PDF

Noted

The Home Office acknowledges the concerns and outlines the police powers to deal with illegal raves, but states that decisions about deployment are operational matters for the police. They highlight funding to tackle drug supply, treatment services, and Project ADDER. (AI summary)

View full response

Home Secretary 2 Marsham Street London SWIP 4DF Home Office WWW gov uklhome-office Ms Alison Mutch Senior Coroner for the Coroner Area of Greater Manchester South 1 Mount Tabor Street Stockport Greater Manchester SK1 3A July 2021 Mu MeTZA Thank you for your Regulation 28 Report of 15 March into the death of Joe Peter Robinson: am replying in my capacity as the Minister for Crime and Policing: Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your report: would like to express my regret for Mr Robinson's death. Any death related to misuse is a tragedy and we are committed to supporting the Department of Health and Social Care in understanding the complex factors involved in order to inform both national and local action to protect individuals from these harms As am sure will be aware, this government could not be clearer in saying that these unlicensed events are illegal. Such events encourage multiple harms such as criminal activity, safeguarding concerns, and risks to public health, particularly during global pandemic The police have a variety of powers under public order legislation to deal with illegal raves, including powers to direct people to leave events and to arrest those who do not comply with the direction: However; decisions about what and who to deploy and how to deal with specific unlicensed music events (UMEs) is an operational matter for the police: It is appropriate that the government does not directly involve itself in operational matters. We have been in touch with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) in regard to this report: We understand that GMP have shared lessons learned with NPoCC and the National Police Chiefs Council have published national guidance in relation to UMEs: drug you

The Government remains committed to tackling the harms caused by drug misuse. That is why, in January, we announced E148 million of new funding to support a system- wide approach to tackling illegal drugs: This includes E40 million to tackle drug supply and county lines, E80 million on drug treatment services in England, and E28 million on Project ADDER, which will pilot an intensive approach to enforcement; treatment and recovery in five areas with some of the highest rates of misuse Thank you for work leading the inquest into Mr Robinson's death, hope this letter addresses the concerns set out in your report: Rt Hon Priti Patel MP drug

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 15th June 2020, I commenced an investigation into the death of Joe Peter Robinson. The investigation concluded on the 11th February 2021 and the conclusion was one of drug related death.

The medical cause of death was: 1a) combined drug toxicity.

Circumstances of the death

In the early hours of 14th June 2020, Joe Peter Robinson became unwell and collapsed by the side of Ashton Canal near Cinderhall Farm. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The post mortem examination found he had died from a combination of MDMA and Ketamine.

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Shared signals

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Report details

Reference: 2021-0074
Date of report: 15 March 2021
Coroner: Alison Mutch
Coroner area: Greater Manchester South

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 2

1 response not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 10 May 2021 (estimated).

Sent to

Home Office

National Police Chiefs Council

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.