A 15-year-old lad tragically lost his life after his electric motorbike crashed into an ambulance just moments after police started tailing him on a residential street.
Saul Cookson succumbed to his injuries in the hospital despite paramedics and medics’ best efforts to save him.
At his inquest held this Tuesday, it emerged that Saul had been the focus of a “covert following” by two constables from Greater Manchester Police in a marked patrol car just before the tragic accident. The officers, referred to only as E7 and D5 for “operational issues” testified about why they followed Saul, mentioning that e-bikes are “frequently used by people committing crime”.
The youngster was thrown from his bike in the collision which occurred in Salford, Greater Manchester. During the proceedings at Bolton Inquest Court, the jury has the task to determine if the police action should be classified as a “covert following” or escalated to “initial pursuit”, with implications if deemed disproportionate reports the Mirror.
Officer E7 stated that he believed the type of electric motorcycle Saul was riding is often used for illegal activities, necessitating the need to tail the teenager. He explained: “I know they’re frequently used by people committing crime and I knew at that time Salford were having particular issues with those bikes. Not only that but they were a national issue… I remember it being a hot day and the rider appeared to be dressed all in black in a track suit and was wearing a face covering.”
The inquest delved into the specifics of what exactly constitutes a police chase, and which officers are authorised to engage in pursuits at different levels.
These included specific stages of pursuit utilised by Greater Manchester Police. Both officers outlined these stages, with one being an informal trailing of a vehicle, such as to verify a registration, and another being a “covert following”, indicating that a vehicle is under police scrutiny but they are still maintaining distance.
Once a motorist disregards a request to stop, this escalates to ‘initial’ pursuit’ where pre-emptive tactics like stingers can be deployed. Finally, there is the ultimate ‘tactical’ phase which involves a full-blown pursuit.
The court learned that only officers with advanced driving qualifications are authorised to operate the high-powered vehicles used in this stage, and Officer D5 described how officers are trained to avoid pursuits wherever possible.
In the courtroom, Officer E7 explained, “You’re pursuing that vehicle and you would request tactical pursuit trained officers. They would try to bring the pursuit to a safe resolution.”
Both officers claimed they didn’t consider their actions as an initial pursuit in June 2023 because they hadn’t signaled Saul to stop through means such as flashing headlights or activating the siren.
Christian Weaver, representing the family in court, pressed Officer E7 on whether Saul glancing back at the police car meant he knew he was being tailed and ought to pull over. Mr Weaver asked: “Had there been an acknowledgement that Saul was aware of your presence does that take your actions closer to that of a pursuit? ” Officer E7 countered with: “Disagree.”
Seeking elaboration on his disagreement, Officer E7 detailed when he viewed a pursuit as initiated, stating it commenced only “Only if the rider or driver shows that they have no intention of stopping after a request has been made to stop.”
Portions of Officer E7’s written testimony suggested Saul should have remained calm, believing he could evade by driving through bollards the patrol car couldn’t pass. However, Mr Weaver challenged this: “If he stops and waits at the bollards to check the road you might catch up with him, do you accept that? ” In response, E7 conceded: “Probably.”
Officer D5, who was in the passenger seat of the patrol car, recounted the moments leading up to the incident involving Saul. While they were tailing the motorcyclist, the officer was checking details on an alleged drink driver.
“I’ve been reading that on my phone, I’ve looked up and the motorcycle has been in front of us. I haven’t seen exactly where that motorcycle has come from. I’ve looked up and the motorcycle was in front of me.”
He further explained: “As I’ve looked up from my work phone and seen the motorcycle in front of me, I recall that there was a very brief glance or movement of the head. It wasn’t a dramatic movement but I recall there was a move over the shoulder to see if there was any other vehicles behind or something like that.”
The Manchester Evening News disclosed that CCTV footage captured the police vehicle maintaining speed with Saul as he manoeuvred his electric motorcycle onto Fitzwarren Street and then Lower Seedley Road. The pursuit ended when the police car halted at bollards which Saul navigated through, only for an ambulance to emerge abruptly from the left, colliding with him.
The inquest continues.
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