Man, 44, charged with Blakelock murder Published duration 23 July 2013

image caption PC Keith Blakelock was stabbed to death in Tottenham as he tried to protect firefighters

A 44-year-old man has been charged with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during riots in north London in 1985.

The 40-year-old Met police officer was attacked while on duty during the unrest at Broadwater Farm in Tottenham.

He was stabbed to death as he tried to protect firefighters as they tackled a blaze at a supermarket.

Nicholas Jacobs, 44, of Hackney, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

At the time of the riots Mr Jacobs was 16 years old.

Sufficient evidence

Alison Saunders from the CPS said: "Following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have decided that Nicholas Jacobs should be charged with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during the disorder at Broadwater Farm in October 1985.

"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute."

A statement on behalf of PC Blakelock's family said they welcomed the news and had "never given up hope in getting justice for him".

No further action will taken against four others suspected of taking part in the fatal attack "as there is insufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution", the CPS added.

The investigation into PC Blakelock's death was reopened in 2003 under Operation Worlingworth, after a review indicated there were possible new lines of inquiry.

The father-of-three, from Sunderland, had been called to the Broadwater Farm estate with a colleague, where they were attacked by a mob armed with knives.

Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip were convicted of the officer's killing in 1987, but their convictions were quashed four years later.

Fourteen men were arrested in 2010 over his death and the attempted murder of his colleague PC Richard Coombes.