WALKDEN FIRE: SALFORD CITY COUNCIL STATEMENT

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, Salford City Council said:

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“Justice has been served on the three people who carried out this unspeakable crime and they have been given lengthy prison sentences. 

"No punishment, however, can ever diminish the horror of their appalling actions, those minutes of madness in which an evil attack was planned and carried out with deadly consequences. No words can ever fully express Salford’s shock and anguish at the loss of those innocent lives and the harm done to the Pearson family. The hearts of everyone in Salford go out to the family and the community now and for the future. 

“Immediately after the fire the community rallied round the family and the council, police, Victim Support and the fire service supported them and the family as they paid tribute to Michelle and the children. We will continue that support as we begin the lengthy process of trying to recover from this dreadful act. Salford people are strong and the community will come back from this but it will take time to heal. 

“There is already talk in the local community of a lasting memorial to the children; if that is something the family wish to explore we will work with them to make that happen but we will be guided by them and their wishes. 

“We are aware of issues raised both before and during the trial about how all the various agencies, including the council, interacted with the Pearson family. Salford Children’s Safeguarding Board has begun a serious case review which will look at all interactions with the family. Salford City Council will co-operate fully with that investigation. There are also further investigations by the coroner’s court and the Independent Police Complaints Commission and until all those investigations are concluded and the findings published, we cannot comment further.” 

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