Double fatal collision between a police motorbike and a car - Thames Valley Police and HMRC, December 2017
At approximately 1.52pm on 5 December 2017, a Thames Valley Police officer riding an unmarked police motorcycle was taking part in a joint training exercise between Thames Valley Police (TVP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
During the training exercise, which took place on the A4 Bath Road, Twyford, Berkshire, the police officer’s motorcycle collided with a car at a junction. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The passenger of the car and the police officer both died at the scene following the collision.
We investigated the planning and preparation of the training exercise and how the training exercise was carried out, including any associated risk assessments. We also looked at how the TVP motorcycle rider was driving and whether this may have contributed to the collision.
Our investigators attended the scene. We gathered over 43 witness statements from police officers, HMRC officers and members of the public. We also reviewed relevant legislation and policies, as well as the police motorcyclist’s training and disciplinary record. We also reviewed and analysed briefings of the training exercise, and its deployment.
A separate criminal investigation was also conducted into the actions of the driver of the car which the police motorcyclist collided with. The investigation focused on the driver’s actions, and whether these contributed to the death of both the car’s passenger and the police motorcyclist. A report carried out into the circumstances of the collision mentioned that the police motorcyclist was wearing dark clothing (which was in accordance with his covert surveillance role) and his headlight was not on.
The evidence indicated the police motorcyclist went over the speed limit when he approached the junction where the collision occurred – which was not contrary to the legislation in place at the time of the training, and fitted within the role and purpose of a surveillance motorcyclist. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that his actions were not proportionate to the circumstances.
Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police or with HMRC may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence.
Our investigation identified some learning for TVP and HMRC arising from this case. Evidence indicated that HMRC and TVP’s understanding that TVP surveillance officers were exempt from driving at local speed limits and could use speed exemptions was inconsistent across all those who were involved in the training. We also suggested that both TVP and HMRC could consider making a joint risk assessment before such training exercises.
Both TVP and HMRC agreed to take part in a joint learning debrief to identify and address learning opportunities arising from the incident.
We completed our investigation in November 2018 but waited until criminal proceedings against the driver of the car had completed, in early 2020, to publish its outcomes. The driver was acquitted of two counts of death by careless driving following a trial early in 2020.