28/02/2005
For Immediate Release

IPCC to Investigate Nottingham Road Traffic Incident

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will manage the investigation into an accident in which a marked police patrol car hit a 16-year-old girl in Canal Street, Nottingham city centre at approximately 10.10pm on Friday 25 February. The police vehicle was responding to an emergency call at the time of the incident.

The teenager suffered serious injuries and was taken to Nottingham’s Queen's Medical Centre. Her condition is described as critical but stable. Chief Inspector Brian Beasley from Nottinghamshire Police met with the girl's family to give them an update on the investigation.

Nottinghamshire Police referred the incident to the IPCC late on Friday night and IPCC investigators attended the scene. Following their assessment, IPCC Commissioner Len Jackson has decided to manage the investigation which will be carried out by officers from Nottinghamshire Police.

Mr Jackson said: "My thoughts go out to the girl’s family at this difficult time.

“I will ensure that a searching investigation is carried out to find out precisely what happened and what caused the accident.  I would urge any witnesses to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 0115 967 2225.”

-ends-

Notes for editors

  • The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is the body with overall responsibility for the new police complaints system in England and Wales. It has the task of increasing public confidence in the system and aims to make complaints investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair. The 17 IPCC Commissioners guarantee the independence of the IPCC and by law can never have served as police officers.
  • Since its launch in April 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to carry out 26 independent and 103 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police. It has also set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public’s complaints are handled, and upheld 21% of 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.  It has regional offices in Cardiff, Leicestershire, London and Manchester plus a sub office in Wakefield.   Commissioners are regionally based and supported by 77 independent investigators, as well as case workers and specialist support staff.
  • 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:

Rachael Collins, IPCC Press Officer on 020 7166 3142 or out-of-hours duty press officer on 07717 851157.