Hillsborough officer ‘called for dogs’

Hillsborough police chief David Duckenfield called for police dogs instead of ambulances as fans were crushed to death in the football tragedy, the inquests have heard.

The former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent, who was match commander on the day of the disaster, denied his mindset was focused on hooliganism rather than fans’ safety.

The retired officer, 70, was being cross-examined for a third day by the lawyers of the relatives of the 96 who died. He has already made a series of admissions about “mistakes” he made, confessed that he lied in the aftermath, and apologised “unreservedly” to fans’ families.