Additional police patrols for Novichok inquiry

Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after coming into contact with the nerve agent Novichok

Police have said they are stepping up patrols in Salisbury ahead of the independent inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess.

The inquiry is due to begin hearing evidence on Monday at the city's Guildhall more than six years after the mother-of-three was poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok.

Police said communities in the city centre were likely to see more officers in the area.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said additional foot patrols had already begun but she added there was "no current intelligence to suggest there is any risk to the wider public".

'Difficult memories'

Ms Roper said: "It is important to remember that at the heart of this inquiry are Dawn's family and loved ones whose lives have been irreversibly changed.

“We also fully appreciate the impact that the inquiry starting in our county might have on our local communities.

"It will, undoubtedly, bring back some difficult memories for those who were living and working in Salisbury and Amesbury in 2018."

The original inquest into Ms Sturgess' death opened in 2021, but was converted to a public inquiry to allow highly classified evidence to be heard.

• Who was Dawn Sturgess and how was she poisoned?

• Justice for Novichok victims 'unlikely', says Theresa May

A wide area was locked down after the poisonings

The first week of hearings will take place in Salisbury, before moving to the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London on 28 October.

Ms Sturgess, 44, from Wiltshire, died in July 2018 after spraying herself with the contents of a perfume bottle which contained a "significant amount" of the nerve agent.

Ms Roper said policing for the inquiry was in line with other similar-sized public events.

"Importantly, I would like to reassure our communities that there will be no impact on the local policing provision within and around Salisbury or the wider county during the opening week of the inquiry," she said.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said the additional patrols were a precautionary measure.

"I would like to reassure our communities that this in no way will detract from existing neighbourhood policing resources," he said.

"Your community will not receive less of a policing service as a result – and there are plans in place to support this."

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