Hillsborough families call for 'remedial measures' against police

Families of Hillsborough victims have called for the home secretary Theresa May to take 'remedial measures' against South Yorkshire Police in the wake of the inquest into the tragedy.

Solicitors acting for 20 of the families said they were "appalled" to see what they called the "shambles" in the police force following the verdict which found the 96 victims were unlawfully killed.

South Yorkshire Police has come in for heavy criticism following the verdicts, and a solicitor at the firm representing the families said "leadership have showed a lamentable refusal to face up the fact that their organisation needs to take a long hard look at their values and ethics".

The home secretary has the power to direct a a police authority to apply remedial measures, and would first send in a team from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary to make recommendations.

This is the latest in a series of blows to South Yorkshire Police.

First Chief Constable David Crompton was suspended. Then his replacement Dawn Copley - who had been the force's Deputy Chief Constable since September last year - stepped down after just one day at the helm.

Families of victims of the disaster are also pursuing legal proceedings against the force.