Collision involving a car followed by police - Hampshire Constabulary, September 2018

At around 11.20pm on 3 September 2018, a Hampshire Constabulary traffic vehicle was following a stolen car. Less than a minute later, the stolen car collided with another vehicle driven by a member of the public, deflected and then hit a tree head-on. The three occupants of the car sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Our investigators collected evidence, including statements from the control room supervisor and two officers in the following police vehicle. Additionally, the police officers’ body-worn camera footage and vehicle-mounted camera footage was analysed, along with downloads from the police vehicle and radio transmissions.

Evidence indicated that the officers had followed the instructions given by their force control room, which had been to follow the stolen vehicle but not to attempt to stop it. They had not activated their sirens or lights. We did not consider that the officers were engaged in a pursuit when they were following the suspect vehicle.

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. We completed our investigation in May 2019.

After reviewing our report, Hampshire Constabulary agreed.