Sheku Bayoh inquiry cost Police Scotland more than £24m

The inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh cost Police Scotland almost £25m, according to a Freedom of Information response.

Sheku Bayoh, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained by around six police officers who were called to Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3, 2015.

Following an investigation, the Crown Office decided not to take legal action against the police officers involved.

Mr Bayoh’s family had urged deputy first minister Kate Forbes to extend the terms of reference of a public inquiry investigating the circumstances of the 31-year-old’s death, whether race was a factor and looking at the Crown’s decisions not to bring any prosecutions in 2018 and 2019.

Last month, the family resolved the civil action against the chief constable of Police Scotland, first raised in May 2018.

The family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, confirmed that Police Scotland agreed to the settlement without admitting liability.

An FOI response from Police Scotland has confirmed that as of January 31, 2025, Operation TARN, the name given to the investigation, cost the force a total of £24,277,408.

More than £17m has been spent on legal services since the beginning of the inquiry, whilst almost £7m was spent on officer and staff costs.

Deputy chief constable Alan Speirs said: “We recognise the significant impact Sheku Bayoh’s death had on his family, friends, the wider community of Kirkcaldy and beyond and also Police Scotland officers both serving and retired.

“Police Scotland has participated fully in every aspect of the Public Inquiry, and our commitment to positively assist the Chair in discharging the terms of reference remains unchanged.”