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2 Aug 2011

Police crash CCTV shows ‘above and beyond’ cop

Surrey police praise one of their officers who was hurled into the air in a dramatic car crash with a joyrider, only to give chase and stop the driver with a taser before finally collapsing.

Police Constable Dan Pascoe was part of two police units busy setting up a roadblock off the M25 when the crash occurred on 3 July.

A stolen BMW driven by 29-year-old Lee Ralph Adamson hurtled into the roadblock, sending the policeman flying off his feet before crashing to a halt some yards away.

Police CCTV footage shows the moment the joyrider piled into the back of PC Dan Pascoe’s squad car, narrowly missing the officer.

Adamson is then seen attempting to escape on foot and PC Pascoe manages to give chase. Surrey police say that PC Pascoe managed to deploy his taser on Adamson before collapsing himself.

Adamson was later charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and resisting arrest.

He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

PC Pascoe managed to escape serious injury but was praised by force commanders for going “above and beyond” the call of duty. His fellow officers were all applauded for making an arrest in such “exceptional circumstances”.

Inspector Chris Colley, head of Surrey police’s roads policing unit, said: “The officers, particularly PC Pascoe, had to react extremely quickly and despite the shock and possible injuries they may have sustained during the collision they were determined not to let the suspect get away.

“Thankfully PC Pascoe only sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision, but it’s clear that the extremely dangerous manner in which the stolen vehicle was being driven could easily have resulted in a tragic outcome.

“Adamson rammed the police vehicle at high speed and it is only good fortune that prevented an officer or a member of the public from being seriously injured or killed.

“His actions were appallingly irresponsible, and I welcome the lengthy court sentencing which sends out a clear message that Surrey Police will keep tackling vehicle crime and those found to be committing offences in the county will be dealt with robustly and put before the courts.”

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