24/06/2005

Police crash casualty numbers increase

The number of people injured or killed in accidents involving police cars in England and Wales rose by more than 60% last year.

The figures, revealed in a Parliamentary answer by Home Office Minister Hazel Blears, showed that 31 people were killed in collisions involving police cars and there were over 2,000 casualties from such accidents, in the year to April 2004.

This was an increase of 11 deaths and more than 700 casualties from the previous year’s figures.

The announcement of the figures has prompted the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) call for improvements to training and risk assessment.

IPCC Chair Nick Hardwick said: “Training and risk assessment are the keys to reducing deaths and serious injuries involving police drivers.

“We all accept that in emergencies police officers have to speed and go through red lights, but they must not take unacceptable risks, either for themselves or the public. Control rooms have to play a central role in dictating pursuits.

“The IPCC will continue to manage or independently investigate the most serious collisions involving police driving. We are ensuring that the lessons learned will benefit the police service.”

(KMcA/SP)

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