‘Errors’ in chase that ended in tragedy

THE police watchdog has raised concerns about “errors” in a pursuit in which an Oldham teenager died when his car hit a tree.

The Chronicle reported on Monday how a verdict of accidental death was recorded on Keen Waqar Ahmed Alyas (17), of Alexandra Road, Glodwick, who crashed in Springwood Way, Ashton on July 30, 2010.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated and has released the results saying they found there were errors in the pursuit — with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) now revising its policies.

Mr Alyas, who had never had driving lessons, was spotted driving a Ford Focus, which belonged to his sister, without headlights in Park Road, Glodwick, by a PC who was driving a marked Land Rover Freelander.

The PC started to pursue the teenager when he failed to stop. He was joined by a sergeant in a high-powered marked Vauxhall Vectra, who overtook the Freelander at 70mph on the wrong side of the road.

Burning
The chase lasted two minutes before the Focus hit a tree while trying to turn left. The officers pulled the teenager from the burning car, but he was pronounced dead at Tameside Hospital.

The IPCC said the Freelander driver was only trained to be involved in the first stage of a pursuit and the vehicle should not have been driven in the chase.

The report concluded:

The PC in the Land Rover should not have started the chase. The sergeant’s pursuit was “of concern” as he drove at speed on the wrong side of the road on a blind corner.

The sergeant was at one point within approximately 23m (75ft) of the Ford Focus while travelling at 62mph. The safe stopping distance for an advanced police driver travelling at 60mph is calculated as 57m (186ft).

PCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said: “It is tragic that a split second decision not to stop resulted in such a terrible outcome. Our investigation has shown there were errors in the way this pursuit was conducted.”

Mr Malik said the officer driving the Land Rover Freelander was unaware of a 2007 IPCC recommendation accepted by all forces that four-wheel drive vehicles should not be used in pursuits.

A spokesman added: “Police pursuits will always be the subject of public debate due to the risks inherently involved.”