Police 'sorry' for case failings

Deputy chief constable, Craig Mackey apologised "unreservedly"

Gloucestershire police have apologised to the family of a woman for their failings in the investigation which followed her death in a road accident.

Sarah Appleyard was 39 when the motorbike she was riding collided with another vehicle near Nympsfield.

Her death in 2001 was ruled as accidental and police said there was "insufficient evidence" to prosecute.

Police say since 2001 a number of major changes to procedure have been put in place and training has been improved.

'Lacked professionalism'

Following initial concerns from Ms Appleyard's family, Gloucestershire Constabulary referred the case for review to Avon and Somerset Police.

They concluded that the original inquiry "lacked professionalism" in a number of areas.

Ms Appleyard's family made a number of complaints and the matter was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which asked Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to investigate.

The IPCC report concluded:

The initial accident scene was "poorly managed" and the quality of post-accident investigation was "poor".

It made clear there was "no suggestion" the integrity of any parties involved in the investigation was in question.

The conclusion of the investigation did not affect the original decision not to take any formal action against the other driver.

There was "insufficient evidence" to draw a single definitive answer as to the cause of the collision.

Gloucestershire Constabulary's deputy chief constable, Craig Mackey, said: "The inquiry by Devon and Cornwall police confirms that there were areas of the initial investigation that did not meet our standards.

"For this I apologise unreservedly to Ms Appleyard's family on behalf of Gloucestershire Constabulary."

He added that among several changes adopted since 2001, the most significant was the adoption of the Road Death Investigation Manual from the Association of Chief Police Officers, that that this included the role of the family liaison officer.