Police pursuit before fatal Bradford collision was carried out appropriately

18 Mar 2020 03:24 PM

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found no evidence that West Yorkshire Police officers involved in a pursuit, where a man died in a collision in Bradford, acted inappropriately or failed to follow local or national policy.

Yasib Ali, aged 34, died when the Audi A4 he was driving collided with a safety barrier where the M606 joins the westbound carriageway of the M62.

After failing to stop for police vehicles, Mr Ali was pursued along Manchester Road and on to the M606, where the collision occurred during the early hours of 18 December 2017.

Our investigation, completed in November 2018, found officers involved in the pursuit followed policy and procedures. Police officers who arrived shortly after the collision provided medical assistance to Mr Ali until paramedics arrived.

We analysed police officers’ body-worn video footage, in-car data, police radio transmissions and witness statements.

All police officers and staff involved in this incident were treated as witnesses during our investigation.

An inquest held at Bradford Coroner’s Court, a jury returned a narrative conclusion on 26 February 2020.

IOPC Head of National Operations David Ford yesterday said:

“Our sympathies remain with the family of Mr Ali and all those affected by his death.

“Our investigation found that the pursuit was authorised, proportionate and carried out in accordance with local and national policy.”

Many police-related road traffic incidents are investigated by the police, rather than the IOPC. However, we investigate the most serious cases involving death or serious injury. Our investigations play a critical role in securing public confidence in the police service by establishing what happened, ensuring individual accountability and identifying any learning for individual forces or nationally.