Care home crash officers acted in 'exemplary' way
Officers chasing a stolen car that crashed into a care home and injured several residents acted "diligently and with integrity", the police watchdog has found.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into Northumbria Police after the crash in July at Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, Sunderland.
Officers in an unmarked vehicle were responding to reports of a car stolen from Newcastle and possible kidnapping, and pursued the BMW for about four minutes before the collision.
In November, driver Sam Asgari-Tabar and passenger Reece Parish, both 21, were jailed for robbery. Asgari-Tabar also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Eight people were taken to hospital after the car crashed into the care home, including two residents who suffered broken bones.
The IOPC said the death of two care home residents in the days after the crash were not related to the incident.
The watchdog, which investigates police complaints, said it looked into the decision-making and actions during and after the chase.
Director Emily Barry said despite being faced with "an extremely challenging situation", all officers involved had acted in an "exemplary manner".
She said: "Our independent investigation has made clear that the responsibility for this collision, and the resulting injuries, lies solely with the BMW driver, who had every opportunity to do the right thing and stop for police - but chose instead to put lives at risk."
The IOPC said speeds reached 90mph during the pursuit, but this was deemed appropriate due to the serious nature of the offence.
A spokesman said: "The police driver maintained a safe distance at all times and backed off to give the BMW driver more space ahead of the T-junction where they lost control."
Northumbria PoliceNewcastle Crown Court heard Asgari-Tabar and Parish had gone to look at a car being advertised for sale on Facebook in Fenham, Newcastle.
They had driven off with a terrified woman who was selling the vehicle still inside, though they eventually removed her before speeding off again, before the car crashed.
Asgari-Tabar, of no fixed abode, was jailed for five years and eight months and was banned from driving for seven years.
Parish, of Fordham Road, Sunderland, was jailed for three years and one month.
