The way police chase motorcyclists has been branded ‘not fit for purpose’ following the inquest into the death of a grandad biker.
Alan Long, 54, died when he crashed his powerful motorbike after a 50-minute police pursuit which at one stage involved six squad cars and the force plane.
Coroner Joanne Kearsley, speaking at the conclusion of Mr Long’s inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court, criticised GMP’s ‘confusing’ pursuit policy, the lack of training for officers taking part in chases and the ‘quality of training itself’.
She said she would write to the force and the Association of Chief Police Officers to express her concerns. Miss Kearsley said: “The pursuit policy itself, taken in its current form, is not fit for purpose in the respect of motorbikes. It does not stand up to scrutiny, it lacks clarity and it has caused confusion among officers.”
Click to view profile for Adrian Keeling – Defence
