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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Telegraph reporters

BMW stops supplying patrol cars to police forces after officer’s fatal accident

BMW police car - Marcyano/iStock Editorial
BMW police car - Marcyano/iStock Editorial

The widow of a police officer killed in a crash involving a “dangerous” BMW car has welcomed its decision to stop supplying the vehicles to Britain’s forces.

However, Kathryn Dumphreys has criticised the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) for the “appalling and insulting” decision not to withdraw existing patrol models of the car from service immediately.

Pc Nick Dumphreys died while responding to an emergency call on the M6 near Carlisle on Jan 26 2020.

The Cumbria News and Star previously reported that an inquest into the 47-year-old’s death heard his car’s N57 engine suffered “catastrophic failure”, causing an oil leak prior to the crash.

The inquest heard that similar faults had been reported in police vehicles with the engine about five to seven times a month between 2014 and 2017.

Robert Cohen, the Carlisle coroner, said that Pc Dumphreys, an advanced driver, could not have prevented the accident and he recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Kathryn Dumphreys Pc Nick Dumphreys police death UK BMW cars - Family handout/Martis Media/PA Wire
Kathryn Dumphreys Pc Nick Dumphreys police death UK BMW cars - Family handout/Martis Media/PA Wire

Now BMW has announced it is closing its specialist sales division in the country after many British police forces restricted the use of its cars featuring the N57 engine, only using the vehicles for “less stressful” operations.

The N57 diesel engine features in a number of BMW police vehicles, including the 330d, 530d and X5.

The car company said that the problem with the N57 engine was down to the “particular way” police use the vehicles and that there was “no need for action on any civilian vehicles”.

Welcoming BMW’s decision, Mrs Dumphreys said: “Although it is too little too late for Nick and our family, BMW’s decision to stop supplying cars to UK police forces with immediate effect is the first step in the right direction.

“It is glaringly obvious that these cars were not, and in my view are still not, fit or safe for UK policing purposes.

“This is finally the correct decision and given that BMW were fully aware of the risks in the years prior to Nick’s death – as the inquest into his death heard – it is the action that should have been taken years ago.”

‘Spotlight on police to prioritise safety’

Calling on police forces to stop using the cars altogether, she added: “The spotlight is now firmly upon all UK police forces to prioritise safety and take immediate action to stop using all BMW cars.

“The National Police Chiefs’ Council know the facts, so why do they still require our officers to drive these cars – which have proved to be dangerous – nearly three years after Nick’s death? It is appalling and insulting.”

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods, the NPCC’s lead on police driving, said: “A national position has already been adopted regarding the end of life of the affected BMWs.

“Vehicles that have been assessed as at risk and unsuitable for police use have been removed from service and their engine made unusable prior to disposal. Any remaining usable BMWs with the engine type identified are subject to rigorous monitoring.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety and the long-term integrity of the equipment our officers use.”

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