Lewisham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A man has been arrested in Lewisham’s Catford on suspicion of five offences today after a police chase ended in a crash. Investigation is still ongoing.
Shortly after 10.20 a.m. today February 17, 2025, a collision occurred on the A21 Bromley Road close to Southend Lane Lewisham.
Around 10.20 a.m., police were pursuing a motorist on Widmore Road who had refused to stop for them.
The vehicle then collided with Bromley Road’s central reserve.
What led to the arrest of a man in Catford after a police chase crash?
The male driver was then taken into custody on suspicion of reckless driving, failing to stop, taking off, driving without insurance, and not having a driver’s license.
After learning that a patient had traveled to the hospital on their own, the London Ambulance Service reportedly canceled its response.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said:
“At around 10:20 hours on Monday, 17 February a car failed to stop for police in Widmore Road.
Officers pursued the vehicle which subsequently collided with the central reservation in Bromley Road near to its junction with Southend Lane.
The male driver was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, taking and driving away, dangerous driving, no insurance and no driving licence.”
What safety measures are in place to prevent crashes during police chases?
A number of safety precautions and factors are in place to avoid crashes during police pursuits, with the goal of striking a balance between the requirement to capture offenders and public safety.
Officers must constantly evaluate the risks of chasing a car, taking into account the safety of the suspect, other drivers, pedestrians, and themselves.
Training from police academies places a strong emphasis on striking a balance between public safety and law enforcement during pursuits.
Officers are supposed to consider risk variables such as the time of day, traffic density, weather, road conditions, and the ability to get closer to the offender.
Though some may be too complicated to adhere to during an event, several agencies have expanded and changed their police pursuit policies.