WIREDGOV

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has welcomed today's ministerial statement that police pursuit guidelines have now been given the force of law.

IPCC Commissioner Tom Davies, who has responsibility for police pursuits, said: "This is very welcome news and its implementation by all police forces will help save lives because it will make police pursuits much safer for the public and officers.

"We have worked closely with ACPO and road safety campaign groups to improve police pursuit policy. As a result of today's anouncement by Police Minister Nick Herbert pursuits will be conducted to exacting standards set by ACPO.

"The IPCC conducted a detailed research analysis into police pursuits, published in 2007, which made a major contribution into these revised pursuit guidelines."

Notes for editors

The IPCC research work on road traffic related incidents can be found on our website at http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/reports_rti.aspx