IPCC investigating fatal motorcycle RTI

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating a road traffic incident which resulted in the death of a 54-year-old motorcyclist.

Alan Stuart Long, of Linden Road in Denton, suffered serious injuries after the motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a VW Polo at the junction of Stamford Road and Rassbottom Street in Stalybridge just before midnight on Friday 1 August 2008. Mr Long died as a result of his injuries in Tameside General Hospital on 2 August.

Greater Manchester Police officers had attempted to stop Mr Long on Whittle Street in Denton at approximately 11.00pm on Friday night. He failed to stop and there was a pursuit involving a number of police vehicles, supported by the GMP aircraft.

GMP referred the incident to the IPCC. A decision was taken to manage the force's investigation initially, but this has been reviewed subsequently and the IPCC will now conduct an independent investigation.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: "The IPCC initially decided to manage this investigation, but from the evidence collected in the early stages there are concerns about the manner in which the pursuit was conducted and whether the pursuing officers complied with policy and procedure. As a result, we have decided it is appropriate to upgrade this investigation to independent.  My thoughts are with Mr Long's family and friends at this difficult time."

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PLEASE NOTE: The family of Alan Long have requested that the media do not try to contact them and allow them to grieve in peace.

Notes for editors:

Note: For clarity, IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long is not related to Alan Stuart Long.

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 about incidents outside normal office hours should contact the on-call press officer on 07717 851157.