27 July 2011

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to independently investigate a road traffic incident that occurred on 24 July 2011 in Basildon, Essex, after a police vehicle and a taxi collided at a set of traffic lights just before midnight.

The incident occurred on Broadmayne at the junction with Ghyll Grove and Southernhay.

The passenger and driver of the police vehicle and the taxi driver were taken to Basildon hospital. The driver of the police vehicle has been discharged from hospital.

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "I very much hope that all concerned go on to make a full recovery from the injuries they sustained.

"Because of the seriousness of the incident it will be investigated independently. Our investigation will look at the circumstances leading to the crash, including any risk assessments made, whether the decision-making was proportionate and if there is any learning from this."

- ENDS -

Notes for Editors

  • The IPCC has overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales. The IPCC's jurisdiction was extended in 2008 to cover UK Border Agency staff exercising police-like powers.
  • The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.
  • The IPCC is run by a Chair, 10 Operational Commissioners (including two Deputy Chairs) and two non-Executive Commissioners.