WILTSHIRE Police have welcomed plans to give officers more legal protection if they become involved car chases.

The Home Office proposals are intended to give officers the confidence to pursue criminals riding mopeds and other vehicles in situations where suspects have little physical protection.

Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire, said: “I fully welcome any new law that affords greater legal protection to police officers whilst doing their job and keeping our communities safe.

“These changes will ensure that police drivers, who are rigorously trained, have more confidence in pursuing offenders once the relevant risks have been assessed, including the risk to the public, suspect and the officers themselves.

“It’s paramount that the law protects our officers whilst they’re protecting us, and recognises their additional training.”

Current rules mean that motorists – including police officers – who fail to drive competently and carefully can be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving. New standards would protect the police against prosecution in cases of speeding and tactical collisions with suspect vehicles.

David Ibbott, chair of the Wiltshire Police Federation, said: “The current legislation is sadly lacking. The problem is police officers are trained to break the law, but they should be afforded protection in cases where there is a chase.

“If you’re in danger you want the police to be there as quickly as possible to keep you safe. At the moment it could be career-losing for officers after accidents.”

Asked whether he thought the changes would give police the confidence to chase criminals, Mr Ibbott said: “I think it will, knowing they’ve got the law behind them.”

Merseyside police officer James Ellerton made national news in 2016 when he was charged with dangerous driving. He used his van to knock a criminal off an unregistered motorbike but was cleared after a four-day trial.

The case became key in the debate around legal protections for police drivers.

The Home Office said: “We have seen how criminals’ perception of well-intentioned local guidance around pursuing motorcycle riders not wearing crash helmets has contributed to an increase in motorcycle-related crime, particularly in London.”

Data obtained by the BBC showed moped-related offences in the capital had jumped from 827 in 2012 to over 23,000 last year. Increases in the cost of car insurance and a boom in delivery services have contributed to the rise in mopeds on the streets. Criminals have used mopeds as getaway vehicles when mugging unsuspecting members of the public.

Swindon is no stranger to police chases. The Adver reported a high-speed chase in North Swindon on Tuesday. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle passed through red lights at speed and went the wrong way around a roundabout.

Wiltshire police were able to make safe contact with the car and arrested two 15-year-old boys on suspicion of taking the vehicle without the owner’s consent.