Independent Police Complaints Commission
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IPCC update following fatal road traffic incident in Leigh-on-Sea in December

An independent investigation into a road traffic incident in Leigh-on-Sea late last year, which resulted in the deaths of two young men, is making positive progress.

Reigan Knight and Liam Phillips, both 17, died when the Ford Escort they were travelling in collided with a BMW being driven by a member of the public before hitting a wall at around 1am on 27 December 2016.

An Essex Police vehicle was following the Ford Escort shortly before the collision. The IPCC is examining the actions of police officers involved prior to the collision, including whether they adhered to relevant policies and procedures.

As part of the investigation, we have taken a number of statements and are reviewing relevant CCTV footage. A collision report is being prepared by an investigator from Suffolk Constabulary and will be provided to the IPCC in due course.

We are also investigating a complaint from family members affected by the collision, regarding information released to media by Essex Police which inaccurately stated that passengers in the Ford Escort were in possession of Class A drugs. This information was later corrected.

All officers and staff involved are being treated as witnesses at this stage.

Operations Manager Colin Sparrow said:

“This investigation is well underway and a number of key actions have been completed, including identifying and speaking to several people who have provided helpful information. We are continuing to review evidence to determine the nature of the contact police had with the vehicle Reigan and Liam were travelling in.

“Alongside our investigation into the circumstances of the collision, we are also examining how incorrect information was released in a press statement following the incident. Essex Police corrected the error but it is important that we review what went wrong.

“My thoughts remain with Reigan and Liam’s friends and family, and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

The 16-year-old boy charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death by driving without a driving licence and causing death by driving without insurance will next appear at Basildon Crown Court on March 31.

 

Channel website: https://policeconduct.gov.uk/

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