Pursuit before Nottingham collision followed correct procedures

1 Mar 2019 11:22 AM

Our investigation after a collision in Nottingham in which a motorcyclist was injured found that a police pursuit beforehand was carried out appropriately.

The collision happened shortly before midnight on 26 April last year (2018) when a motorcycle ridden by a 20-year-old man struck the back of a parked van in Alwyn Road, Broxtowe. An ambulance took him to hospital with serious injuries including fractured ribs but he was later discharged.

The motorbike’s owner had earlier reported it as stolen and was following it in his own vehicle when three police cars began a pursuit through Broxtowe and on to the Broxtowe estate. Evidence gathered by our investigator indicated that the motorbike failed to stop and the pursuit was called off after one of the officers told the control room that the motorcyclist had thrown away his helmet.

Moments later police came across the collision and saw the rider collapse on the pavement while trying to flee. He was arrested and officers provided first aid until the arrival of paramedics.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said:

“We found that the pursuit was correctly authorised and carried out in accordance with local and national policy. The officers involved backed off after reporting that that the motorcyclist had removed his helmet and a decision was then taken to abort the pursuit.”

We sent investigators to the scene to carry out a detailed examination after the force informed us of the incident. We also reviewed witness statements provided by all the officers involved and studied body worn footage, police airwave radio transmissions and other electronic data available for the officers’ vehicles. Our investigation was finalised last month (January).