The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has outlined the Terms of Reference for the independent investigation following a police pursuit that preceded a road traffic incident in Penge, London.

At about 23:20 hours on Friday, January 13, 2012 an unmarked police vehicle noticed two cars travelling at what the officers’ claim were excess speeds on Samos Road. One vehicle was lost but an attempt was made to stop the other vehicle, a Mini Cooper, at the junction with Croydon Road.

The pursuit continued with a further attempt to stop the Mini, driven by a man, in Lennard Road, London SE20.

Following the attempt, the Mini drove off and shortly afterwards collided with another vehicle after the junction with Kent House Road.

Following the collision Emergency Services attended the scene and the driver of the Mini was taken to Kings College Hospital, London, where his condition deteriorated and he subsequently died.

The driver of the other vehicle, a woman, received minor injuries.

The independent investigation is looking at the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) management of the pursuit conducted by the Command and Control Centre responsible for controlling the incident. The investigation is examining the extent of the communications between the officers involved in the pursuit and the control room staff responsible for monitoring and recording the incident.

It is also looking at the extent of the initial phase assessment conducted by the Command and Control Centre Pan London Supervisor in line with the relevant standard operating procedures. Finally, the investigation is probing the extent of the decision making process conducted by the Command and Control Centre Pan London Supervisor in line with the relevant standard operating procedures.

The family is aware of our investigation.

IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin said: "A young man has tragically lost his life following this pursuit and we owe it to his family to thoroughly and independently investigate the command and control aspect of the pursuit prior to his death.

"It is my duty to ensure our independent investigation focuses on the MPS management of the police pursuit, conducted by the Command and Control Centre, which had responsibility for controlling the incident.

“Further, we need to be confident, where appropriate, lessons are learned as a result of this fatal incident. In addition to providing independent scrutiny I will be looking to make further recommendations, if necessary, for forces to consider when engaging in police pursuits.”