Investigation into police collision involving officers responding to Streatham terrorism incident

We are conducting an independent investigation into a road traffic incident involving a Metropolitan Police car which collided with two vehicles while responding to the terror attack in Streatham on Sunday 2nd February 2020. Two members of the public and officers sustained injuries. The members of the public were taken to hospital for checks and discharged.

Our independent scrutiny of police actions, particularly when people are injured, is a critical part of maintaining public confidence - even if officers are responding to a major incident.

Our assessment of the officers’ driving as potentially amounting to gross misconduct was agreed by the Metropolitan Police Service.

A criminal investigation does not mean that criminal charges will necessarily follow. Misconduct notices do not imply guilt but are to inform the officer that their behaviour and conduct are under investigation and the level of severity. Such notices are not judgemental in any way.

On Friday 28th February we served notices of investigation for dangerous driving and gross misconduct on the officer driving the vehicle involved in the collision and on the driver of a marked police vehicle which was in close proximity to the unmarked vehicle but not involved in the collision.

This decision was not taken lightly and is based on the evidence we have seen and analysed so far. This includes in-car camera footage and GPS from both police vehicles. We have also considered a statement made by the officer involved and members of the public who witnessed the collision. Due to the collision, one of the police vehicles didn’t make it to the scene of the attack.