Blakelock murder inquiry brings 10 arrests

A total of 10 people have been arrested this year in connection with the murder of Pc Keith Blakelock, the Metropolitan Police revealed yesterday before a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of his killing.

Pc Blakelock was hacked to death during the Broadwater Farm riots in Tottenham, north London, in October 1985.

Police said detectives were beginning to "build a clearer picture" of the night of the attack and the re-investigation had moved into the "arrest phase".

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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said one suspect was arrested in March, two in May, three in June, two in July and two in September. All have been released on police bail.

The arrests include a 41-year-old man, originally from the Tottenham area, who was detained on suspicion of murder. Two other men, aged 46 and 52, were also arrested at separate north London addresses on suspicion of murder. All three are due to report back to police in November.

Pc Blakelock, a father of three, was murdered by a machete-wielding gang during clashes with police on the estate.

Six people were originally charged with the murder, including Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip.

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The three men were convicted of the killing in 1987 but cleared on appeal four years later.

Three youths were also charged with murder but did not face trial after a judge ruled that their questioning was inadmissible.

The murder case was never resolved despite an Old Bailey trial and the work of several teams of detectives.

A fresh inquiry was launched in December 2003 after a review identified new lines of inquiry.

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Pc Blakelock and his colleague, Pc Richard Coombes, were attacked on October 6 as they tried to protect firefighters when violence spiralled on the estate.

The unrest was sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett, 49, who collapsed during a police raid on her home.

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