Plans to change the law around police chases have moved a step closer amid fears current rules are undermining efforts to stop moped gangs.
The Home Office carried out a public consultation on proposals to introduce a new legal test for police officers facing possible criminal charges after a high speed chase.
It would mean that the officer’s expert training as a response driver would be taken into account if prosecution were being considered after a pursuit.
Currently, all emergency services drivers are exempt from speed limit, traffic light and sign violations when undertaking a 999 response.
But the same legal test for careless and dangerous driving offences is applied to police officers and the general public.
– Introduce a new legal test so that an officer’s driving is compared to that of a competent and careful police driver with the same level of training performing the same role, rather than a member of the public;
– Apply to all police officers trained to response driver level as well as advance driver level, therefore covering those pursuing criminals and also emergency police responders;
– the various emergency service exemptions to traffic law will be reviewed;
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It’s vital police officers feel confident and protected when pursuing suspects on the roads or responding to an emergency.
“It’s also crucial that we send a clear message that criminals – whether in cars or on mopeds – cannot escape arrest simply by driving recklessly.
“These proposed changes will strike the right balance – giving trained officers the confidence they need to fight crime effectively and ensure our roads are safe.”
Chairman John Apter said: “It is good that Her Majesty’s Government has agreed to this much-needed change in legislation to reflect police driver training.
“This is a positive step and something we have long been campaigning for.
“Sadly, it comes too late for many police officers who have been investigated and had their lives turned upside-down, facing lengthy court proceedings for simply doing the job they have been trained to do.
“It is important that when police officers are required to use their training to protect society, they can do so with the confidence that the law is on their side.
“What now needs to happen is meaningful action – we need the Government to be bold, prioritise this issue, find the Parliamentary time to do so, and fulfil its promise to police officers and the public.”
The Metropolitan Police also publicly aired its tactics that included tyre-deflation spikes and ramming suspects off motorbikes.
In March the force released figures that suggested a 49% drop in moped-enabled crime – there were 12,540 offences in the 12 months to January 2019, compared to 24,398 the previous year.
