3 July 2009

IPCC to independently investigate a serious RTI in Swindon

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to independently investigate a road traffic incident in Swindon in the early hours of 1 July 2009 after a 20-year-old male motorcyclist crashed and was seriously injured.

At approximately 1.30am a Wiltshire Constabulary traffic patrol car crewed by two male officers observed two motor cycles (one with two people on board and the other with a solo rider) apparently being ridden without lights.

The police patrol car is reported as illuminating its blue lights indicating the motorcyclists should stop. It is claimed that the two motorcycles separated and the police officers pursued the solo motorcyclist.

The motorcyclist came off his bike in Poplar Avenue, Swindon, and was taken by ambulance to Great Western Hospital, Swindon where he was diagnosed as having broken his neck in three places.

It is believed the route driven by the motorcyclist and police car was from a location, known as The Circle (close to Limes Avenue, Pinehurst  Estate, Swindon) turning into Chestnut Avenue, onto Cricklade Road and then turned into Poplar Avenue where the rider came off his bike.

Wiltshire Constabulary formally referred this matter to the IPCC at approximately 3pm on 1 July.

IPCC Commissioner for the South West Rebecca Marsh said: “This young man’s injuries are very serious and we can only hope that he recovers. I am sure that this is a very difficult time for his family and friends.

“We have decided to independently investigate this matter.

“This young man suffered serious injuries and as such there is no question that it is a mandatory referral under the Police Reform Act. Despite this the matter was not referred in time to the IPCC for it to consider whether to deploy an investigator to the scene.

“The IPCC independent investigation will include any potential failings by the force under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Police Reform Act.

"The investigation will review the actions taken by Wiltshire Constabulary prior to the decision to independently investigate using our own investigators. This review will look at actions in relation to the scene, any evidence seized, initial accounts taken and any witness details or statements taken.

“The IPCC investigation will also look at the force policy and training and will in particular judge how this incident was conducted using the ACPO pursuit policy guidelines issued to all police forces in England and Wales.”

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Notes for editors

• The IPCC provides 24-hour cover seven days a week so that when serious incidents occur the IPCC can deploy investigators to the scene as soon as possible so that an independent assessment can take place.
• 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, ten Operational Commissioners (including two Deputy Chairs) and two Non-executive Commissioners.
• From 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 353  independent and 759 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police and other agencies. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.
• The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.
• The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

For further information please contact:

Regional Communications Officer David Nicholson on 02920 245464/07717 851 223. For urgent out-of-hours enquiries would journalists please call the IPCC duty press officer on 07717 851 157.