Police pursuit of a high speed motorcycle – Durham Constabulary, March 2023

Police officers tried to stop a motorcycle they saw travelling at high speed in the early hours of the morning. The motorcycle did not stop when requested to do so and a spontaneous pursuit began. The motorcycle made off at great speed. The police officers pursued in their car but kept a distance. 

The motorcycle crashed after a short pursuit. The rider was seriously injured and the pillion passenger died at the scene.

We received a death or serious injury referral from Durham Constabulary and decided to independently investigate the police pursuit before the collision. 

We investigated the decisions and actions of the police officers involved in the pursuit, including the nature and extent of their contact with the rider and pillion passenger, and whether there was any evidence that they may have caused or contributed to the death and serious injuries. 

We collected witness statements, police radio transmissions, body worn camera footage, police vehicle-mounted camera footage and police vehicle telematics. We analysed and compared these against national guidance and legislation.

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings. 

All officers and police staff were treated as witnesses and co-operated fully with the investigation which concluded in June 2023. 

Durham Constabulary conducted a criminal investigation into the incident. In February 2025, the rider of the motorcycle pleaded guilty to and was convicted of causing the death of the pillion passenger by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison. 

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. 

We did not identify any organisational learning in this case.