Police chase deaths jump by two-thirds in one year

The number of people killed in crashes involving police chases has jumped by 66 per cent, according to new figures which will raise fresh concerns about policing tactics.

Statistics released today by the Independent Police Complaints Commission show that there were 40 fatalities in traffic accidents during police chases in the 12 months to the end of April this year. There were 24 the previous year.

There was also a sharp rise in the number of incidents leading to a fatality, with 33 in the latest annual figures compared with 18 a year earlier, in a further indication of the growing danger resulting from pursuits.

The biggest cause of the higher national death toll was a rise in fatalities outside the capital, but in London, fatalities during Met chases were also up from four to six.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting investigations into many of the crashes and today said changes were needed to reduce the risk of future fatalities.

The commission also called for police motorcycle chases to be stopped except in "exceptional" cases.

The mother of a motorcyclist killed in a pursuit that reached 124mph called for change.

Kim Williams, 48, whose son Lexy, 24, died in a chase by police who wrongly thought he was on a stolen motorbike, said: "I'm not saying police shouldn't give chase at all, but it comes down to the justification and the safety. The coroner said that without air support there is little chance of catching up with a motorbike unless they run out of petrol or crash.

"They had Lexy's number plate so they could have caught him later."