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Police killer Harry Roberts is to be released from prison after more than 45 years.
Roberts, 78, was jailed for life for murdering three unarmed officers in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in 1966.
They were shot in front of children playing in a street after they had pulled over a van containing Roberts and two others, after an armed robbery.
BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the Parole Board of England and Wales had approved the release.
However, our correspondent said it was not yet clear when this would take place, and it is understood there will be strict conditions.
Wormwood Scrubs
The murders of PC Geoffrey Fox, 41; Sgt Christopher Head, 30; and Det Con David Wombwell, 25; became one of the most infamous crimes of the 1960s, causing public outrage.
Roberts and two associates had been sitting in a van near Wormwood Scrubs prison when three policemen approached to ask questions.
Roberts shot dead Mr Wombwell and Mr Head, while Mr Fox was killed by another member of the gang.
Roberts was given three life sentences for the murders. A 30-year minimum term was recommended by the trial judge, who said the crimes were so heinous that he might never be freed.
Geoffrey Fox, David Wombwell and Christopher Head The men shot dead were (left to right): PC Geoffrey Fox, 41; Det Con David Wombwell, 25; and Sgt Christopher Head, 30
BBC correspondent Danny Shaw said that the test applied by the Parole Board was whether the prisoner continued to pose a significant risk of serious harm.
"Even though Harry Roberts has been in jail for 18 years beyond his tariff, the decision to free him is likely to spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out," our correspondent said.
'Safely managed'
Roberts had been held in a low-security prison near Newton Abbot, Devon.
A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases.
An MoJ spokesman said: "The release of life sentence prisoners is directed by the independent Parole Board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community.
"Once released they are subject to strict controls for as long as their risk requires them. If they fail to comply with these conditions they can be immediately returned to prison. Offenders managed through Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) are monitored and supervised by probation, police and other agencies."
Roberts, 78, was jailed for life for murdering three unarmed officers in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in 1966.
They were shot in front of children playing in a street after they had pulled over a van containing Roberts and two others, after an armed robbery.
BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the Parole Board of England and Wales had approved the release.
However, our correspondent said it was not yet clear when this would take place, and it is understood there will be strict conditions.
Wormwood Scrubs
The murders of PC Geoffrey Fox, 41; Sgt Christopher Head, 30; and Det Con David Wombwell, 25; became one of the most infamous crimes of the 1960s, causing public outrage.
Roberts and two associates had been sitting in a van near Wormwood Scrubs prison when three policemen approached to ask questions.
Roberts shot dead Mr Wombwell and Mr Head, while Mr Fox was killed by another member of the gang.
Roberts was given three life sentences for the murders. A 30-year minimum term was recommended by the trial judge, who said the crimes were so heinous that he might never be freed.
Geoffrey Fox, David Wombwell and Christopher Head The men shot dead were (left to right): PC Geoffrey Fox, 41; Det Con David Wombwell, 25; and Sgt Christopher Head, 30
BBC correspondent Danny Shaw said that the test applied by the Parole Board was whether the prisoner continued to pose a significant risk of serious harm.
"Even though Harry Roberts has been in jail for 18 years beyond his tariff, the decision to free him is likely to spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out," our correspondent said.
'Safely managed'
Roberts had been held in a low-security prison near Newton Abbot, Devon.
A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases.
An MoJ spokesman said: "The release of life sentence prisoners is directed by the independent Parole Board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community.
"Once released they are subject to strict controls for as long as their risk requires them. If they fail to comply with these conditions they can be immediately returned to prison. Offenders managed through Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) are monitored and supervised by probation, police and other agencies."
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recall reading a few years back that he was let out on day release and made threats to some harmless people
complete scumbag
wonder if Chelsea fans still sing that song in his honour
complete scumbag
wonder if Chelsea fans still sing that song in his honour
Harry Roberts, who was jailed for orchestrating the murders of three policemen in 1966, telephoned Joan Cartwright, 65, almost every day for four years after suspecting she had given evidence which blocked his attempt to gain parole, she has disclosed.
The calls, in which he spoke of tearing "limb from limb" anyone who spoke against him, coincided with a campaign of attacks on animals at the sanctuary which she ran.
Mrs Cartwright and her son, James, raised concerns about Roberts in 2001 while he was working at the sanctuary on day release from an open prison.
She said that her family began to fear for their lives as Roberts made increasing demands of them while speaking of his violent past.
He forced her to pick him up and drive him around in her car and demanded that she cook him breakfast every day, flying into a rage if his egg was not fried to his exacting requirements, she claimed.
Roberts's day release was cancelled abruptly and he was moved away from the open prison after the Cartwrights passed on their concerns to the authorities, using an intermediary for fear of reprisals.
But although the family gave evidence against him to a parole board in secret, he immediately suspected them.
Speaking for the first time after a court order banning publication of her identity was lifted, Mrs Cartwright said that the calls began within minutes of her being told by police that Roberts had been moved away.
"By the time the police had got to the end of the drive, Harry was on the phone spitting blood and spelling out what was going to happen to whoever was responsible," she told the Mail on Sunday.
"He was going to have them torn limb from limb."
Over the following years there were a number of attacks on animals at the sanctuary including a horse slashed with an axe, another blinded with an iron bar, a cat electrocuted, a peacock strangled and a donkey which had to be put down after being beaten.
The family believe that the attacks are connected to the evidence they gave.
Roberts, who has an ongoing application for parole, was jailed for orchestrating the so-called massacre of Braybrook Street in east London 1966 in which three unarmed policemen - Pc Geoffrey Fox, Dc David Wombwell and Det Sgt Christopher Head - were shot.
The killings were described as "the most heinous crime for a generation or more" by a judge at the Old Bailey.
Dominic Grieve, the Tory shadow justice secretary, said that he would write to Mr Straw to demand an explanation for Mrs Cartwight's alleged ordeal.
He said: "If Roberts was able to intimidate her from his cell that is a serious situation and it requires an immediate answer from Jack Straw as to what happened and why."
David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, said: "Questions need to be asked about why this family received such poor protection from the police against these threats and why these activities didn't result in prosecutions, not just of Harry Roberts but of anybody who might have helped him.
"This is not just a breach of prison security but a failure to protect witnesses."
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said that the allegations were being considered by the Parole Board reviewing Roberts's custody and said steps had been taken to improve the family's security.
"Protecting the public is paramount," she said.
"All allegations of inappropriate behaviour by prisoners in open conditions are investigated and if credible will lead to the prisoner being returned to a closed prison."
The calls, in which he spoke of tearing "limb from limb" anyone who spoke against him, coincided with a campaign of attacks on animals at the sanctuary which she ran.
Mrs Cartwright and her son, James, raised concerns about Roberts in 2001 while he was working at the sanctuary on day release from an open prison.
She said that her family began to fear for their lives as Roberts made increasing demands of them while speaking of his violent past.
He forced her to pick him up and drive him around in her car and demanded that she cook him breakfast every day, flying into a rage if his egg was not fried to his exacting requirements, she claimed.
Roberts's day release was cancelled abruptly and he was moved away from the open prison after the Cartwrights passed on their concerns to the authorities, using an intermediary for fear of reprisals.
But although the family gave evidence against him to a parole board in secret, he immediately suspected them.
Speaking for the first time after a court order banning publication of her identity was lifted, Mrs Cartwright said that the calls began within minutes of her being told by police that Roberts had been moved away.
"By the time the police had got to the end of the drive, Harry was on the phone spitting blood and spelling out what was going to happen to whoever was responsible," she told the Mail on Sunday.
"He was going to have them torn limb from limb."
Over the following years there were a number of attacks on animals at the sanctuary including a horse slashed with an axe, another blinded with an iron bar, a cat electrocuted, a peacock strangled and a donkey which had to be put down after being beaten.
The family believe that the attacks are connected to the evidence they gave.
Roberts, who has an ongoing application for parole, was jailed for orchestrating the so-called massacre of Braybrook Street in east London 1966 in which three unarmed policemen - Pc Geoffrey Fox, Dc David Wombwell and Det Sgt Christopher Head - were shot.
The killings were described as "the most heinous crime for a generation or more" by a judge at the Old Bailey.
Dominic Grieve, the Tory shadow justice secretary, said that he would write to Mr Straw to demand an explanation for Mrs Cartwight's alleged ordeal.
He said: "If Roberts was able to intimidate her from his cell that is a serious situation and it requires an immediate answer from Jack Straw as to what happened and why."
David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, said: "Questions need to be asked about why this family received such poor protection from the police against these threats and why these activities didn't result in prosecutions, not just of Harry Roberts but of anybody who might have helped him.
"This is not just a breach of prison security but a failure to protect witnesses."
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said that the allegations were being considered by the Parole Board reviewing Roberts's custody and said steps had been taken to improve the family's security.
"Protecting the public is paramount," she said.
"All allegations of inappropriate behaviour by prisoners in open conditions are investigated and if credible will lead to the prisoner being returned to a closed prison."
I hope it's because he is terminally ill otherwise he should rot.
For Reference its MILLWALL who sing his praises.
common song at most clubs, even non league during 60/70's
If you commit crimes like Roberts and Brady, in my opinion you cease to be part of the human race. You have proven that you couldn't care less about humanity or the laws of a civilized society, so you deserve to me removed from it. In their case they deserved capital punishment.
Surprised at Facts support for capital punishment but I'd have no problem keeping them inside permanently.
Of course not, IAWN.
Of course not, IAWN.
The cost of keeping such scum alive could be put to far better use in society.
There are many examples of 'scum' who would've been executed despite their innocence, not that that is the sole justification for opposing the death penalty.
He should have been hanged for it, cold blooded murder with no doubts at all.
Anybody caught under similar circumstances with no doubts should suffer the same fate.
Jack Straw facked up signing away the death penalty.
Anybody caught under similar circumstances with no doubts should suffer the same fate.
Jack Straw facked up signing away the death penalty.
He was the basis of the character billy porter in an itv drama a couple of years back, complete ****
Psychos like this monster should NEVER be released (unless the head of the parole board is prepared to give them board and lodgings in his/her own home).
If you kill a totally innocent person in a completely selfish and cold bloodied way , either to escape justice or to salve some sadistic lust, you deserve to die imo.
I agree with Facts, and you won't hear that often.
You might agree with him, but you are both wrong.
A civilised nation does not execute its own citizens.
A civilised nation does not execute its own citizens.
So many reasons as to why the death penalty should be brought in, or brought back, and I'm not even an extreme kid of person, but but's pure common sense, when guilt of such a crime is beyond any doubt and with a guilty plea too, then then there is no point sending them to prison because the people really being punished is the tax payer, paying for his existence, and then when they're released as a pensioner with no job to go to they live in subsidised accommodation with a all kinds of old aged benefits, that is more money forked out for a criminal to go on top of the previous 48 years. One of the reasons why judges are lenient on small time criminals is because prisons are overcrowded, this would be one way to free them up, no need to televise them though the way the yanks do.
jed.davison
23 Oct 14 13:28
You might agree with him, but you are both wrong.
A civilised nation does not execute its own citizens.
The UK is supposed to be civilised, but we have uncivilised criminals, so fack'em.
They govt are talking of re-introducing the Treason Act of 1361, which is punishable by death.
23 Oct 14 13:28
You might agree with him, but you are both wrong.
A civilised nation does not execute its own citizens.
The UK is supposed to be civilised, but we have uncivilised criminals, so fack'em.
They govt are talking of re-introducing the Treason Act of 1361, which is punishable by death.
^ Nonsense.
Firstly, why would anybody plead guilty? Secondly, how many are you going to execute each year to 'free up space?' Finally, how many televised executions have you seen on Yank TV?
Firstly, why would anybody plead guilty? Secondly, how many are you going to execute each year to 'free up space?' Finally, how many televised executions have you seen on Yank TV?
call me a taxi 23 Oct 14 13:37
They govt are talking of re-introducing the Treason Act of 1361, which is punishable by death.
When they leave the EU, they can carry on talking about it. Until then...
They govt are talking of re-introducing the Treason Act of 1361, which is punishable by death.
When they leave the EU, they can carry on talking about it. Until then...
Dotchinite 23 Oct 14 11:50
He has more than done his time.
You are completely correct, he has done about 47 years too long imo, because some time in 1966 he should have been led to a room & had a rope put around his neck, luckily for him the death sentence had been abolished & this bullying coward escaped the rope, even time has not changed him with the way he hounded Mrs Cartwright who I believe he was working for on day release, this vile s c u m b a g had not changed his spots over the prevailing 35 years & will be no different now, on release I'm sure there will be lowlife out there lauding over him, it really beggars belief he is being released & I'm sure the above poster is on a fishing trip.
He has more than done his time.
You are completely correct, he has done about 47 years too long imo, because some time in 1966 he should have been led to a room & had a rope put around his neck, luckily for him the death sentence had been abolished & this bullying coward escaped the rope, even time has not changed him with the way he hounded Mrs Cartwright who I believe he was working for on day release, this vile s c u m b a g had not changed his spots over the prevailing 35 years & will be no different now, on release I'm sure there will be lowlife out there lauding over him, it really beggars belief he is being released & I'm sure the above poster is on a fishing trip.
facts only wants capital punishment back as he has eyes on Nigel
How many murderers have been released after doing athird or a quarter of his time. Im all for capital punishment but I also like consistency in our system and he has clearly done enough time according to our rules and compared to hundreds of others.
One of the reasons why judges are lenient on small time criminals is because prisons are overcrowded, this would be one way to free them up, no need to televise them though the way the yanks do.
The prison capacity in the UK is 84,000.
There are 12,250 foreign nationals (who all came here to work of course, ask the luvvies) in UK prisons.
It has increased by 1,525 in the last 18 months
After taxpayers have spent their money giving them 3 meals a day for the duration of their sentence, some of them get deported.
Kenneth Clarke, on the Andrew Marr show about 2 years ago, said it was ludicrous. Clarke said they should be deported to their home country and serve their sentence there, and not be allowed back into the UK.
I posted that on the politics forum at the time, and not a word was said.
Six months later I posted it again, but never mentioned Clarke at all.
The half wits with short term memories thought it was my idea, and told me it was racist.
Strange world.
The prison capacity in the UK is 84,000.
There are 12,250 foreign nationals (who all came here to work of course, ask the luvvies) in UK prisons.
It has increased by 1,525 in the last 18 months
After taxpayers have spent their money giving them 3 meals a day for the duration of their sentence, some of them get deported.
Kenneth Clarke, on the Andrew Marr show about 2 years ago, said it was ludicrous. Clarke said they should be deported to their home country and serve their sentence there, and not be allowed back into the UK.
I posted that on the politics forum at the time, and not a word was said.
Six months later I posted it again, but never mentioned Clarke at all.
The half wits with short term memories thought it was my idea, and told me it was racist.
Strange world.
I am researching a piece currently about Enoch Powell - what a fascinating, perhaps unique, individual. The contents of the Rivers of Blood have been debated to death, but its ramifications were the first example - and ironically worst given its removal of Powell from leadership contention for ever more - of this kind of screaming hysteria from the treacherous Social Engineers whose roots have undermined and overtaken our beautiful garden.
His views on Europe read like the kind of speeches Farage would employ, if only Nigel possessed the character required to advance from Private to Brigadier in the course of a World War, or the intellectual mastery required to speak twelve languages.
He warned us of this struggle to reclaim our liberties, our rights and our very soul once they had been sequestered.
He was the original racist. In the Dictionary written by the Gerrymanderers, who now write History too, he defines the word.
His views on Europe read like the kind of speeches Farage would employ, if only Nigel possessed the character required to advance from Private to Brigadier in the course of a World War, or the intellectual mastery required to speak twelve languages.
He warned us of this struggle to reclaim our liberties, our rights and our very soul once they had been sequestered.
He was the original racist. In the Dictionary written by the Gerrymanderers, who now write History too, he defines the word.
Anyway, I digress 
One would assume that Roberts is not terminally ill, or they surely would have released the details to sweeten the pill for those offended by his release?
If he has been let out simply because he's an old man and of no harm to anybody, then that is an affront to humanity. He killed three Policemen in cold blood. It matters not the cost, and there is no case for moral relativity or comparison to other beasts, he should never ever be let out of jail.
As I stated above, I don't believe in capital punishment, but I recognise that there are powerful and compelling arguments for it, and I understand that the views I hold on it are as passionately held as those who would reintroduce it tomorrow.
But Mercy must come with clauses. And in some cases, those clauses must mean that salvation is exchanged for a life removed from the aggrieved society. Roberts is one such case.
One would assume that Roberts is not terminally ill, or they surely would have released the details to sweeten the pill for those offended by his release?
If he has been let out simply because he's an old man and of no harm to anybody, then that is an affront to humanity. He killed three Policemen in cold blood. It matters not the cost, and there is no case for moral relativity or comparison to other beasts, he should never ever be let out of jail.
As I stated above, I don't believe in capital punishment, but I recognise that there are powerful and compelling arguments for it, and I understand that the views I hold on it are as passionately held as those who would reintroduce it tomorrow.
But Mercy must come with clauses. And in some cases, those clauses must mean that salvation is exchanged for a life removed from the aggrieved society. Roberts is one such case.
Furthermore, it is an appropriate punishment that his misfortune should be to live as long as his mental powers remain.
At 78 he is not too old to procure a weapon and kill again. Dangerous move in my view and the parole board should be held responsible in a meaningful way should he re-offend.
Harry Roberts was a legend at Highfield Road - The footballer.
Its Thursday, I need something to get angry about, a 78 yr old roaming the streets just isn't doing it.
what normally makes you angry thin and crispy ?
Having to listen to dickheads and their opinions.
Would you feel safe with this pensioner living next door?
Someone thought it was safe to let him back into the community.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/10/06/mass-killer-harry-street-sent-to-secure-hospital-indefinitely/harry-street-stash-from-lounge-cupboard/
Someone thought it was safe to let him back into the community.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/10/06/mass-killer-harry-street-sent-to-secure-hospital-indefinitely/harry-street-stash-from-lounge-cupboard/
Another advocate of the death penalty signing in. I can think of at least five cases in recent years that warranted such a sentence.
I predict this scum will kill again. At the age of 78 and over half his life in prison, he is certain to have a massive chip on his shoulder. What the hell does he have to lose?
I predict this scum will kill again
at 78
....let him out, he is hardly going to live much longer
We have become a very vindictive society sadly
at 78
....let him out, he is hardly going to live much longerWe have become a very vindictive society sadly
I would not expect Brady to be released...his crimes were just too bad
am certainly not an advocate of the death penalty but in my book a life sentence for murder should mean life unless you've got a bloody good excuse and that definitely does not apply in this instance
In extreme circumstances I would advocate a return.
One of my first memories is about Roberts. When he was on the run, someone on our estate reckoned they saw him in the fields behind, and I remember being
quite scared. My older brother, who was 9, remembers going down to the fields and seeing a line of policeman with dogs searching the fields.He was caught 2 months later hiding in a barn in Bishops Stortford.
One of my first memories is about Roberts. When he was on the run, someone on our estate reckoned they saw him in the fields behind, and I remember being
quite scared. My older brother, who was 9, remembers going down to the fields and seeing a line of policeman with dogs searching the fields.He was caught 2 months later hiding in a barn in Bishops Stortford.
http://www.nickdavies.net/1993/02/01/meeting-the-man-who-kills-coppers/
Not much sign of remorse.
Not much sign of remorse.
The Sheffield police came into the crowd at a
Wednesday v Liverpool game at the time they were
Looking for him -- a youngster fan had shouted "Harry Robert's is
Hiding here " -- as a "joke"-- uniformed and plain clothes police
Came up the terracing lashing out with truncheons -- trying to reach the
Young lad of about 13 or 14 .. Fans were shouting "leave him alone "..
And blocking their way through to him and being coshed for trying ..
It stuck in my head , as i was very near to it , and it resurfaced in my head even more
When Hillsborough took place , especially with the Police involvement and
The Police lying and cover up in that Disgraceful Debacle .
I lost a lot of respect for Sheffield Police that day in their over the top tactics at a young lad
Cracking what he thought was a "funny". They lost my total remaining respect for Hillsborough.
I hope the remaining officers involved in the Hillsborough lies and cover up are prosecuted for
Their roles in it - for justice to be seen to be done.
That said - " no officer should pay with his life for doing his duty ".
As in all walks of life - there are good coppers and bad coppers.
Our thoughts and sympathies should always be with the victims
and the innocents in events, and
Not the perpetrators.
Everyone remembers Harry Roberts , how many remembered the names
Of the Police officers killed ??
Wednesday v Liverpool game at the time they were
Looking for him -- a youngster fan had shouted "Harry Robert's is
Hiding here " -- as a "joke"-- uniformed and plain clothes police
Came up the terracing lashing out with truncheons -- trying to reach the
Young lad of about 13 or 14 .. Fans were shouting "leave him alone "..
And blocking their way through to him and being coshed for trying ..
It stuck in my head , as i was very near to it , and it resurfaced in my head even more
When Hillsborough took place , especially with the Police involvement and
The Police lying and cover up in that Disgraceful Debacle .
I lost a lot of respect for Sheffield Police that day in their over the top tactics at a young lad
Cracking what he thought was a "funny". They lost my total remaining respect for Hillsborough.
I hope the remaining officers involved in the Hillsborough lies and cover up are prosecuted for
Their roles in it - for justice to be seen to be done.
That said - " no officer should pay with his life for doing his duty ".
As in all walks of life - there are good coppers and bad coppers.
Our thoughts and sympathies should always be with the victims
and the innocents in events, and
Not the perpetrators.
Everyone remembers Harry Roberts , how many remembered the names
Of the Police officers killed ??
Eye witness accounts of the arrest of Harry Roberts by
Armed officers talk of unmerciful unholy screaming going on and on
and on In the room where he was arrested..
Armed officers talk of unmerciful unholy screaming going on and on
and on In the room where he was arrested..
Got his knob caught in his flies...happens a lot in police stations.
Lucky he never fell down the stairs.
Lucky he never fell down the stairs.
Everyone remembers Harry Roberts , how many remembered the names
Of the Police officers killed ??
How many remember the names of the people who the police kill?
There's enough of them.
Of the Police officers killed ??
How many remember the names of the people who the police kill?
There's enough of them.
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