Woman seriously injured in collision during police pursuit – Greater Manchester Police, November 2021

On 9 November 2021, Greater Manchester Police carried out traffic stops in the Whalley Range area of Manchester. Officers observed a car drive through a red traffic light. The officers followed the car and at the next set of traffic lights, which were on red, requested the driver of the car to pull over.

The car pulled in front of the police van and drove through the red traffic light resulting in the police pursuing the vehicle. The pursuit was authorised and lasted approximately two and a half minutes before the car crashed into another car. A pedestrian was seriously injured during the collision.

We reviewed body-worn video footage of the pursuit. We reviewed and considered accounts from those involved in the pursuit and analysed them in line with officer training records and police driving and pursuit guidance.

Our investigation concluded in January 2022.

During our investigation there was no indication any police officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.