Charges dropped over 100mph chase

Two police officers accused of repeatedly ignoring commands to stop a 100mph pursuit of a stolen car have had all charges against them dropped.

In November the Avon and Somerset officers pursued a stolen VW Cabriolet, containing four teenagers, on the A38 which ended in a crash in Churchill.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said new evidence had come to light.

A court order preventing the identification of the officers has been made.

Assault claim

Avon and Somerset Police said "certain aspects" of the 10-mile pursuit were still being investigated and that both officers remained on full duty.

When the officers, who had been in an Audi A3, appeared before magistrates in Taunton in June it was alleged that they three times ignored commands to stop pursuing the stolen car.

The police driver, a Pc, had faced charges of dangerous driving and assault, after one of the occupants of the VW was allegedly punched in the head.

The passenger officer, a detective constable, had faced charges of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.

Two males aged 17 and 19 were arrested and two women aged 18 and 19 were taken to hospital with minor injuries following the incident on 4 November.

The charges against the police officers were brought following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.