Agency failures contributed to park deaths - coroner

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Speaking on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing South East and Thames Valley Police, ACC Tim Metcalfe said both organisations acknowledged the Judge Coroner's conclusion today.

He said: "Much has already been done to address these issues, but let me be clear, I know that there is still work to do. We are unrelenting in our commitment to learn, change and improve where required.

"We will continue to work with other agencies locally and nationally to ensure learning from this terrible attack is shared and acted upon.

"While the conclusions delivered by the Judge Coroner today bring an end to the legal proceedings around this case, I am all too aware that the pain and trauma for the families of those who died, and everyone else who was affected by this incident, does not end today.

"We must now fully review and reflect on the conclusions from the Judge Coroner and ensure we do all we can to strengthen our efforts to keep our communities and our country safe."

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Outside the Old Bailey, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, speaking on behalf of Thames Valley Police, said his thoughts were with the families and friends of the stabbing victims.

He also said his thoughts were with the people of Reading "who I know have been deeply affected by what happened in Forbury Gardens".

ACC Metcalfe continued: "Throughout the inquest hearing, the families and loved ones of those killed that evening have shown great dignity during what must have been an extremely traumatic and difficult process.

"I appreciate their enduring patience and understanding, given the time it has taken to get to this stage.

"Throughout this hearing, they have heard detailed evidence about what happened and what was known about the offender prior to the incident from a range of different agencies. It cannot be underestimated how difficult that is to hear."

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Speaking outside the Old Bailey after the inquest, James Furlong's dad Gary said: "It is clear that there was failure after failure by all state agencies who dealt with Saadallah.

"Our boys didn't stand a chance."

Quote Message: We would like to extend our sincere condolences to all of the families and friends of the victims of the tragic Forbury Gardens incident. Since then, there has been significant learning with changes focussed on much better communication and engagement with our partners and the way in which multi-agency working is delivered. We will now review the coroner’s findings and work alongside all agencies involved, to ensure any further learning and improvements can be agreed and embedded as quickly as possible. from Spokesperson Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to all of the families and friends of the victims of the tragic Forbury Gardens incident. Since then, there has been significant learning with changes focussed on much better communication and engagement with our partners and the way in which multi-agency working is delivered. We will now review the coroner’s findings and work alongside all agencies involved, to ensure any further learning and improvements can be agreed and embedded as quickly as possible.

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Dr David Wails' brother Andrew said: "The failings of the state exposed by this inquest sicken and disgust me, those who failed in their duties are responsible for David, James and Joe's deaths.

"I will never forgive and never forget the pain and suffering inflicted on David and my family, which we have to endure for the rest of our lives."

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A stone memorial to David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong was unveiled in Forbury Gardens last year.

James Furlong's dad Gary said the sadness he felt walking into the gardens "hit" him straight away.

He previously told the BBC: "What we wanted was something that gave the boys longevity, so that they were permanently in the history of Reading and Forbury Gardens.

"It's important that they're not just remembered today, but they're remembered in 30, 40, 50 years' time.

"They should never, never be forgotten."

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The parents of James Furlong have said his death "still feels so raw".

Speaking to the BBC, Jan and Gary Furlong have said they intend to return to Forbury Gardens "every year" on 20 June.

Now the criminal proceedings and lengthy inquest process are over, the couple have shared their experiences since their son's death, for the first time.

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Sir Adrian told the court he accepted the severity of what happened in Forbury Gardens "could not have been predicted" - but said the risk Saadallah posed "should have been anticipated".

He then spoke of the victims' families and their dignity throughout the inquest.

To close proceedings, he invited everyone in the Old Bailey courtroom to stand for a one-minute silence in honour of David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong.

BBC South Home Affairs correspondent Nikki Mitchell said a "packed court" rose to observe the silence and there were tears from family members.

The inquest has now concluded.

With regards to Saadallah's mental health, Sir Adrian concluded there should have been greater focus on the risk he posed to the public.

Saadallah was repeatedly categorised as "low risk", an approach which "failed to take into account his volatility".

Sir Adrian said Saadallah "should have been recognised as a high-risk patient in danger of causing serious harm".

He added there was a "lack of long-term [mental health] therapy which could have reduced the risk he posed".

In prison Saadallah had "no chance of receiving the psychological help" he needed, to "break the cycle of offending", Sir Adrian found.

He concluded there should have been at least the possibility of therapy starting in prison.

As the killer moved between the community and prison, there was a "tendency to close his case" by each agency dealing with him when he moved on.

During his lengthy summary, Sir Adrian Fulford listed multiple failures by several state agencies.

He told the court if "the background intelligence picture had been shared", Saadallah would have been treated by all agencies involved "as an extremist or at the very least vulnerable to extremism", and "very dangerous".

Sir Adrian has criticised the probation service for failing to recall Saadallah back into custody.

The killer was released from HMP Bullingdon on 5 June - 15 days before the attack - and began to struggle with drug use, the court heard.

Sir Adrian said this would have justified him being called back to prison.

He told the court: "It would have avoided the attack."

Judge Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford has concluded the deaths of Mr Wails, Mr Furlong and Mr Ritchie-Bennett were "avoidable".

Addressing the court, Sir Adrian spoke of Saadallah's "volatility" and "terrorist mindset".

He said: "It is my view that these three deaths were avoidable."

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Judge Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford says he believes "everything possible was done to save the lives" of Mr Wails, Mr Furlong and Mr Ritchie-Bennett.

The inquest was previously told there was a delay of nearly 90 minutes in telling the ambulance service sent to respond that it was a terrorist attack.

Police classified the incident as a "marauding terrorist attack" (MTA) at 19:48 BST - but South Central Ambulance Service was only made aware of that declaration by 21:13.

The inquest heard a "highly experienced team leader" at the scene did not convey information about the MTA declaration because of the "stress and pressure" of the "once-in-a-career" type event.

But the inquest was told it had prompted changes in the service and that declarations of incidents would be sent to both police and ambulance control rooms.

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The judge coroner is praising those involved in helping the stab victims on the day of the attack.

The BBC previously spoke to a number of people involved in offering help to Mr Furlong, Mr Wails and Mr Ritchie-Bennett, as well as the three others stabbed and seriously injured.

Parliamentary assistant James Antell used his shirt in an effort to stem the bleeding of the men who died.

Four police officers who helped to capture Saadallah previously received bravery awards for their actions.

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Thames Valley Police also failed to notify the probation service about the call they’d had from Saadallah’s brother, the inquest heard.

An urgent, out-of-hours recall could have been actioned by the probation service - had they been given the information.

This was a missed opportunity to get Saadallah off the streets and back into prison, the day before he went into Forbury Gardens in Reading, killed three people, injured three others and attempted to kill many more.

Ultimately, this man wasn’t just "known" to the authorities - he was "very well known".

As a result of all of the many conclusions read out by Sir Adrian Fulford, in his role as judge coroner, he will be issuing numerous Prevention of Future Death notices to government ministers, government departments and many other state agencies.

The conclusions are still continuing.

There were "significantly troubling failings" by Counter Terrorism Police South East’s officers, including a lack of understanding and lack of information sharing with both the police and probation service, the court has heard.

But Thames Valley Police has come under fire too.

That's because the day before Saadallah attacked they were called by his own brother who told officers his sibling was threating to "harm himself and others".

They did not check Saadallah’s records on the police computer properly, so they didn’t see he’d just been released from prison on licence and could have been immediately recalled to prison.

Officers were sent to visit Saadallah's home within the hour, but were told it was a "welfare check" only and so they had no cause to arrest him.