A second police force is being investigated for possible criminal conduct after a police watchdog said there were “differences” in statements taken by football fans at the Hillsborough disaster.
Investigations revealed that information given by some eyewitnesses to were not the same as statements they made later to West Midlands Police.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) says it now wants to hear from thousands of fans who were at the stadium as part of its investigation into the aftermath of the disaster.
The disaster, which killed 96 Liverpool fans in 1989, is now at the centre of the biggest inquiry into police wrongdoing in the UK.
Senior IPCC investigators say there is evidence to suggest that “amendments or changes” were made to some witness statements.
Chris Mahaffey, a senior investigator for the IPCC, said: “This is a criminal investigation and we are now investigating what processes were put in place to gather original evidence. We must assess whether there was any criminal conduct.
“Our analysis of the large number of questionnaires is when you make comparisons against other documents which appear to come from the same person – there are differences.”
The huge new IPCC investigation has already uncovered a mass of statements given by police officers on the day that were doctored by South Yorkshire Police.
Deborah Glass, deputy chair of the IPCC, said the damning report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel had already raised “serious questions” over the work done by the West Midlands Police force.
Calling on witnesses to come forward, she said: “It may be difficult for you to believe that after 24 years you can make a difference.
“But we need your help. And your help will make a difference.”
Hillsborough: Second Police Force Investigated
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