Police Not Using ‘Tactical Contact’ Before Fatal A66 Crash, Report Says
New report reveals police didn't use tactical contact before A66 crash that killed seven. IOPC updates guidelines for safer pursuits.
POLICY WIRE — Middlesbrough, United Kingdom — An independent watchdog has confirmed that police did not employ a ‘stinger’ or ‘tactical contact’ prior to a deadly head-on collision on the A66 motorway, which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including two officers.
The incident occurred when a vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway, leading to a fatal crash. An initial investigation found no evidence that either of these measures were used in the moments preceding the collision, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
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In response, the IOPC has revised its guidance in England and Wales to better support officers in using tactical contact safely during high-risk pursuits, such as moped chases. Although tactical contact is not formally taught in standard police training, it is reserved for extreme situations, like vehicles driving against traffic. The updated guidance now recognizes it as a valid use of force when authorized and appropriately executed.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
