Plymouth shootings: Police staff handed disciplinary notice over gunman's licence

6 October 2021, 14:24 | Updated: 6 October 2021, 16:07

Jake Davison killed five people in Plymouth, including a young girl.
Jake Davison killed five people in Plymouth, including a young girl. Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

A member of police staff has been issued with a disciplinary notice over their handling of Plymouth gunman Jake Davison's application for a shotgun and the decision to return it to him weeks before he killed five people.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has issued the gross misconduct notice to a member of staff over Davison's original application for a shotgun certificate in July 2017 and the decision to return his shotgun and shotgun certificate in July this year.

Davison, 22, shot and killed five people including his mother in August with a weapon which had just been returned to him by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The tragic incident in Keyham, which unfolded on Thursday, August 12, was the UK's first mass shooting in more than a decade.

Read more: Jake Davison: Plymouth gunman posted YouTube videos before shootings

Read more: Plymouth shooting: Jake Davison named as killer of five, including girl aged three

Jake Davison named as killer of five, including 'very young girl'

The IOPC watchdog is investigating how the apprentice crane operator was originally granted a shotgun certificate in 2017 by the force.

The watchdog is also examining how Davison was handed back the weapon and certificate weeks before the shooting having been seized after admitting two assaults.

The IOPC said the police staff member who handled Davison's original shotgun application and also decided to return the weapon would be issued with a gross misconduct notice.

Read more: Jake Davison attack must be classed 'domestic terrorism', expert claims

Gunman killed five including ‘very young girl’ before shooting himself

A police officer who investigated the assault against Davison would be issued with a misconduct notice.

Davison was placed on a voluntary intervention programme - an alternative to be charged or cautioned - after admitting assaulting two youths in a park in September last year.

His shotgun and licence were not seized for another three months until concerns were raised directly with the police by a member of staff working on the intervention programme.

In July last year Davison was given back his shotgun and certificate, which he used for clay pigeon shooting.

He went on a 12-minute shooting spree, killing his mother following a row at her home in Biddick Drive, Keyham.

Davison then went outside and shot dead three-year-old Sophie Martyn and her father Lee, 43, in front of horrified onlookers.

Read more: 'Incels encourage each other to do exactly what Jake Davison has done'

Candlelit vigil in Keyham, Plymouth, to remember those killed in mass shooting

The gunman then shot Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park, before shooting Kate Shepherd, 66, on Henderson Place. He then turned the gun on himself before armed officers reached him.

The IOPC said it was investigating whether the police staff member and the police officer shared information appropriately with the force firearms and explosives licensing department regarding Davison's admitted involvement in a violent offence, and whether they took appropriate steps to seize the shotgun certificate, shotgun, and ammunition.

Read more: Plymouth: Police did not seize gunman's shotgun after he admitted assault last year

IOPC regional director David Ford said: "Based on the evidence gathered so far, we have now served disciplinary notices on two individuals within the force to advise them their conduct is subject to investigation.

"The serving of such notices will be kept under review.

"We intend to complete our investigation before the end of this year. We will share any lessons that may be learned with the force and wider organisations as they emerge.

"At the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether any individual has a disciplinary case to answer."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

William and Kate cheered on opposite sides at Wales v England Six Nations match

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother