Motorcycles: Road Traffic Offences
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the process is for risk assessing the pursuit of a suspect riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Answered by Sarah Jones
There is no prohibition on undertaking a pursuit of a suspect riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Decisions on when to initiate a pursuit involving a suspect riding a motorcycle without a helmet are operational matters for the police, taking into account each particular set of circumstances. When deciding whether or not to undertake or continue a pursuit, an officer should take into account the guidance offered in the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on Roads Policing Police Pursuits.
The APP makes clear that the key consideration is whether the pursuit is necessary, proportionate and balanced against the threat, risk and harm of pursuit to the person being pursued, the officers and others who may be affected and sets out the authorisation requirements for the pursuit.
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