15 August 2008

IPCC discloses findings from investigation into death of David Dimelow

The Independent Police Complaints Commission can disclose today the findings from the managed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of David Dimelow.

Mr Dimelow, 20, of Duke Street, St Helens, died after losing control of his motorbike on Gathurst Road, Orrell at approximately 2:45am on Saturday 3 June 2006.

He had been pursued earlier by Merseyside Police officers after an incident at the Duke of Cambridge public house in Duke Street, St Helens. Mr Dimelow lived in a flat above the pub and Merseyside Police had responded to reports of breaking glass and a disturbance. Mr Dimelow left the scene on his motorcycle as officers arrived.

Three Merseyside Police vehicles pursued Mr Dimelow for approximately six minutes before an instruction was given to terminate the pursuit. Mr Dimelow continued into the Greater Manchester Police area along the B5206.

A Greater Manchester Police vehicle was parked on Orrell Road near to its junction with the B5206 with its emergency lights activated. Mr Dimelow crossed the junction into Gathurst Road where he lost control and crashed.

Mr Dimelow’s blood-alcohol levels showed him to be two and a half times over the drink-drive limit.

The IPCC managed an investigation by Greater Manchester Police into the incident.

The investigation concluded that:

•the pursuit was justified;

•all the Merseyside Police vehicles had terminated their involvement in the pursuit when instructed to do so;

•the Greater Manchester Police vehicle was not involved in a pursuit.

However, although the actions of two of the Merseyside Police drivers were found to be correct and compliant with force policy, the third driver was found to be in breach of policy because he had not been fully trained to participate in a pursuit. Due to this breach the police constable has received written advice.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “This managed investigation has shown the pursuit of Mr Dimelow was entirely justified. He had left the scene of a reported incident giving Merseyside Police officers immediate grounds for suspecting he may have committed an offence. When it became clear that Mr Dimelow was leaving the Merseyside Police area the pursuit was called off and all the officers complied with that instruction. At the time that Mr Dimelow lost control of his motorbike he was no longer being pursued.

“My sympathies go to Mr Dimelow’s family and friends for their loss, but the police officers involved in this incident cannot be held accountable for the fatal outcome.”

An inquest into Mr Dimelow’s death concluded today, delivering a narrative verdict citing the cause of death as multiple injuries.

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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 15 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by more than 100 independent IPCC investigators plus casework managers and other specialists.

Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 264 independent and 663 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.

Media contact:

Ian Christon, IPCC Regional Communications Officer (North Region) Tel 0161 246 8582 Journalists with urgent enquiries outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157