Police face inquiry over car chase crash

by Vicki FitzGerald

An independent inquiry has been launched into how a stolen car crashed on the A38 during a police chase.

The £25,000 VW Eos Cabriolet, which was taken during a burglary in Bishopston, Bristol, crashed on the Langford Bypass near Churchill, North Somerset, colliding with four cars.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will examine the pursuit in detail.

Two men, aged 19 and 17, were arrested after the crash on November 14 and two women, aged 18 and 19, were taken to hospital and arrested later. They were all released on police bail.

One of the women suffered whiplash injuries.

As reported in the Bristol Post, the car was taken the night before in a burglary at a house in Bishopston.

IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh said: "The IPCC has decided to investigate this incident as we have concerns at the way the pursuit was conducted, a member of the public having made a complaint about it.

"The investigation will be carried out by Avon and Somerset Constabulary professional standards department under IPCC management.

"I want the investigation to look at the pursuit policy, the actions of the officers involved in the pursuit and the role of the control room.

"I would be grateful if anyone who may have information about the crash in Churchill and the subsequent arrest of the Volkswagen's occupants would call the Avon and Somerset investigation team."

The car was stolen in the middle of the night from the drive of the home of occupational health worker Sue Burke, 49, in Logan Road.

Just 12 hours later the car was written off in the chase.

Mrs Burke and her husband were asleep when their home was broken into.

They didn't hear anyone inside their home and did not wake when the car was driven away.

The car was spotted by officers in a marked police car, who called in the police helicopter to assist them in the chase.

No one was seriously injured although the A38 was closed for five hours while debris was removed.

The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system.

It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way public complaints are handled.

The commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact the investigation team on 0800 555111.