Police issue 66 murder warnings

Ashleigh Burns • Published 30 Oct 2012 09:30

CENTRAL Scotland Police has issued 66 letters warning people they are the target of a murder plot, since 2010.

The 'threat to life' or 'Osman' warnings are issued by police when they have information about a murder plot, but not enough evidence to make an arrest.

Central Scotland Police Force has issued 66 in its area which covers the three local authorities of Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk Councils.

This includes a population of more than 281,000 people.

A Central Scotland Police spokesperson explained to the Advertiser that Osman warnings are used by the force carefully.

He said, "Public safety is of paramount importance to Central Scotland Police. Threat to life warnings are a legitimate and recognised tactic to prevent crime however are only issued after careful consideration of the associated threat and risk."

The warnings were named Osman letters after the case of Ali Osman.

Ali was shot dead in London in 1988 by Paul Paget-Lewis, who had told police he was a danger.

Ali's family argued that his human rights had been breached as authorities had not warned him about his killer.

After taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights in 1998 the court ruled that the police were legally responsible.

Amongst those to have received Osman warnings are Simone Banarjee, ex-fiancee of murderer Malcolm Webster, and Johnny Adair.

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