Collision following pursuit - Metropolitan Police Service, April 2018

On 17 April 2018 Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers were on patrol in a marked police vehicle in Finsbury Park, north London, where there had been a spate of burglaries. They received a call regarding a burglary in progress, which reported that two suspects had been seen on a silver motorcycle. Shortly after the call, the officers spotted a motorcycle with a rider and pillion passenger matching the description of the call. The rider and pillion passenger failed to stop when the officers activated blue lights and audible warning equipment and a pursuit commenced.

During the pursuit the pillion passenger removed their helmet before the driver of the motorcycle went through a red traffic light and collided with a white vehicle. The officers attended to the driver and passenger, and provided first aid before paramedics arrived. The driver and passenger were taken to hospital, where they were treated for their injuries.

Our investigators attended the scene. We obtained accounts from the officers, police witnesses and civilian witnesses, in addition to CCTV footage.

Evidence indicated that the officers had complied with applicable policies for pursuits by taking the correct steps to inform the control room and by providing commentary throughout the incident. The pursuit was at an early stage, therefore self-authorisation was appropriate in order to enable the offers to continue following the suspect vehicle.

We found no indication that the actions of the police caused or contributed to the injuries sustained by the rider and passenger.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence.