Serious injury following collision - Metropolitan Police Service, September 2018

On 10 September 2018, while crewed together in a police vehicle in north-west London late at night, three Metropolitan Police Service officers began a pursuit of two motorcycles when they failed to stop for them and drove off at speed. The officers pursued the motorcycles through primarily commercial streets for approximately 30 seconds. One of the motorcyclists swerved to avoid an oncoming car and collided with railings at a pedestrian crossing. The other motorcyclist drove off. The police vehicle terminated the pursuit and stopped to administer first aid to the rider. The rider suffered non-fatal injuries.

Our investigators obtained witness statements from the officers involved, body-worn camera footage from one of the officers, recordings from the police radio airwaves and photographs of the scene. They also reviewed the training records of the officers involved to confirm that they were appropriately trained to undertake pursuits.

Evidence indicated that the motorcyclist’s manner of driving was unlawful, as they were using excessive speed and were in the wrong lane. Evidence showed that the police vehicle itself did not come into contact with the motorcyclist or directly cause any injuries to them.

Based on the evidence available, we found no indication that any police officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence. We concluded our investigation in April 2019.