Witness appeal over Bennett shooting

Derek Bennett was carrying a cigarette lighter

An appeal has been issued to find two people who police believe saw the fatal shooting of a black man by armed officers.

Derek Bennett, 29, was shot dead last month by Metropolitan Police officers who thought he was armed and dangerous.

But it was later discovered he was carrying a gun-shaped cigarette lighter.

The new appeal was made as a memorial service was held for Mr Bennett.

It is essential that we trace these extra witnesses so that we can find out exactly what happened

Duncan Gear, PCA

Police Complaints Authority member Duncan Gear, who is supervising the investigation into Mr Bennett's death, said: "We have had excellent co-operation so far and have traced many important eyewitnesses.

"But it is essential that we trace these extra witnesses so that we can find out exactly what happened."

Officers from Northumbria Police and Avon and Somerset Police have been making house-to-house inquiries in Brixton, south London, where Mr Bennett was shot dead.

They are appealing for a man and a woman who were seen in Loughborough Road in the lead-up to the shooting to come forward.

Descriptions issued

The woman they are looking for is black, about 24, 5ft 8ins tall with short black hair, who was wearing a black Nike tracksuit and white training shoes.

The man is black, about 27-years-old, 5ft 6ins tall with short black hair, and had a mobile phone.

Mr Bennett's death sparked disturbances in Brixton, with youths breaking windows and looting shops.

On Wednesday Peter Herbert, the deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, called for a wide-ranging public inquiry into the large number of fatal shootings by police officers.