Cumbria Police officer under criminal investigation over Maryport crash

A Cumbria Police officer is under criminal investigation and has been served a misconduct notice following a crash in which an unoccupied police van struck two 12-year-old girls.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the actions of the officer involved in the incident on Senhouse Street in Maryport on 18 April. The police watchdog is considering whether the officer broke the law by leaving the vehicle unattended and in a dangerous position.

The officer has been served with a gross misconduct notice for breaches of police standards for professional behaviour. However, the IOPC said this did not necessarily mean criminal or disciplinary proceedings would follow.

One of the children was taken to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries following the crash. Both girls are now recovering from the incident.

Amanda Rowe, IOPC director of engagement, said: "Our role is to independently investigate the involvement of police in this collision to establish the circumstances. The conduct notice relates to the actions and decisions of the officer specifically an indication that the officer may have failed to correctly park and secure the van and whether that was in line with training policy and procedure. We have spoken to the girls families to explain our role and will keep them updated as our work progresses."

The watchdog's investigators have been reviewing extensive evidence relating to the crash. They have obtained and analysed CCTV footage, police body-cam video and dash-cam footage of the incident. A vehicle examination has also taken place, which showed the van had no defects.

The investigation is continuing as the IOPC seeks to establish the full circumstances of how the unoccupied vehicle came to collide with the two young girls.