Police review Leeds car pursuit which ended in crash

Police are reviewing a pursuit through a Leeds suburb which ended in a crash.
The black Renault Megane was being pursued by police when it crashed into the silver Subaru Forrester.The black Renault Megane was being pursued by police when it crashed into the silver Subaru Forrester.
The black Renault Megane was being pursued by police when it crashed into the silver Subaru Forrester.

Officers were pursuing a black Renault Megane through Chapeltown when it smashed into a silver Subaru shortly after 6pm on August 1.

The silver car flipped, leaving the driver with whiplash and backache.

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Officers check over the silver Subaru Forrester, which rolled several times before coming to a stop on its side.Officers check over the silver Subaru Forrester, which rolled several times before coming to a stop on its side.
Officers check over the silver Subaru Forrester, which rolled several times before coming to a stop on its side.

Today police confirmed a series of reviews were being carried out.

Chief Inspector Mark Bownass said: “Every phase of a police pursuit is subject to scrutiny by centrally based supervisors in order to protect officers and the public.

“Where a vehicle has fails to stop for police, officers who are appropriately trained may request authorisation to pursue the vehicle. There are various criteria that have to be met in order for authority to be granted or for a situation to be aborted, which is given from the Force Command Hub.”

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He said all pursuits resulting in collisions were then subject to review by a chief inspector.

The Subaru, which span 360 degrees before rolling several times.The Subaru, which span 360 degrees before rolling several times.
The Subaru, which span 360 degrees before rolling several times.

“Each incident is reviewed on its own circumstances,” he said. “Where there may be serious or life changing injuries a Post Incident Management process would be implemented.

“Where there is error found with driver standards, recommendations for further training and development are made in line with the force’s Driver Training Centre. In some circumstances, a driving permit may be temporarily suspended pending enquiries in to the incident.

“A Driver Standards Board, chaired by a Superintendent meet on bi-monthly to further review any incidents.”

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The most serious cases are then referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The driver and occupants of the black car ran off after the crash.The driver and occupants of the black car ran off after the crash.
The driver and occupants of the black car ran off after the crash.

Last week police issued an appeal for information on the driver and three passengers of the black car, who ran off after the crash.

Officers seized a number of items from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen from the Armley area on the same day.

A police spokeswoman said: “Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver and passengers of the Renault Megane.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101, quoting 1315 of August 1.”

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