Police Chase Ends in Care Home Crash: Officers Cleared

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded that Northumbria Police officers acted with integrity and diligence during a pursuit that led to a stolen vehicle crashing into a care home. The incident occurred in July at Highcliffe Care Home in Sunderland, when officers pursued a stolen BMW for approximately four minutes before the collision. This pursuit was initiated due to reports of a car theft and a potential kidnapping.

The crash resulted in eight individuals being taken to the hospital, with two care home residents sustaining broken bones. The IOPC clarified that two subsequent deaths of residents were unrelated to the crash. The watchdog's review focused on the decision-making and actions of the officers involved. Director Emily Barry stated that despite the challenging circumstances, the officers' conduct was exemplary.

The driver of the BMW, Sam Asgari-Tabar, and a passenger, Reece Parish, both 21, were later sentenced in November. Asgari-Tabar received five years and eight months in prison and a seven-year driving ban for robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Parish was jailed for three years and one month. The IOPC emphasized that the sole responsibility for the collision and injuries lies with the BMW driver, who endangered lives by failing to stop.