Government criticised over death

Pc Ged Walker was fatally injured in January 2003

The government said it will learn from criticism in a report over the death of a Nottinghamshire policeman.

Ged Walker died when he was run over by convicted robber David Parfitt, who had broken the terms of his parole.

The report said Parfitt's probation officer wrongly accepted his excuses for breaching the terms of his release.

Ministers have agreed that the police and probation service should have worked more closely to monitor David Parfitt's movements.

This report does recognise that lots of little mistakes were made which ultimately led to PC Walker's death Nottingham North MP Graham Allen

Pc Walker was fatally injured trying to stop a stolen car driven by David Parfitt in Bulwell in January 2003.

Parfitt was jailed for 13 years for manslaughter in December 2003.

The report by then HM Inspector of Probation, Professor Rod Morgan, said Parfitt's probation officer should have ordered his recall in September 2002 after repeatedly failing drugs tests, but continued to show "inappropriate leniency" for a further three months.

On Tuesday, the government's statement accepted the implementation of new guidelines, designed to allow the police, Crown Prosecution Service and Probation Service to work together, had been "at best patchy".

Nottingham North MP Graham Allen said lessons have been learned.

"Nothing will bring Pc Ged Walker back but at least this report does recognise that lots of little mistakes were made which ultimately led to Pc Walker's death.

"So I'm pleased the government has responded in the way they have they have already made some of the changes recommended in the report and will be making other as time goes on."