IOPC Investigation finds police pursuit followed policy prior to fatal road collision in Birmingham

West Midlands Police officers pursued a car in line with policy and procedure before a fatal collision in Birmingham, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded.

An inquest which ended yesterday (Tuesday 30 September) determined that Marwan Abdulqadir and Aroz Awat died as a result of a road traffic collision and the jury also concluded that the police pursuit/action was not a direct cause of the collision.

Our six-month investigation followed a referral by West Midlands Police after a BMW driven by Aroz, who was aged 16, collided with a tree outside the Grove pub at the junction of Oxhill Road and Grove Lane, Handsworth, in the early hours of 19 December last year (2024). Aroz died later in hospital while the death of 17-year-old Marwan, a front seat passenger, was pronounced at the scene.

Another 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds, all back seat passengers, were injured.

The IOPC investigation considered the actions of officers in an armed response vehicle on routine patrol, which had attempted to stop the BMW in Soho Road, Birmingham, at around 2am because it was speeding.

We established that police pulled alongside the BMW at traffic lights and asked the driver to pull over, but it made off into Sandwell Road. A short pursuit was discontinued after the BMW went on to the wrong side of a dual carriageway after joining the A4040.

Officers later re-engaged the pursuit, with the BMW some distance in front, but lost sight of it until arriving at the collision scene 22 seconds later.

IOPC Director Emily Barry, said: "Tragically two teenagers lost their lives as a result of this incident. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those affected by their deaths.

"Our investigation was independent of the police and aimed to establish what happened in the lead up to the collision. We found that the pursuit was appropriate in the circumstances, that the officers were suitably trained and acted in line with policy and procedures. No conduct issues were identified.

"The evidence we gathered was provided to the coroner to assist with the inquest proceedings, which we hope has helped answer some of the families' questions about that night."

Our investigation examined 13 pieces of video footage, including officers' body worn video and roadside CCTV. We also considered officer statements, communication between the officers and control room, and secured accounts from the three back seat passengers.

• West Midlands Police
• Road traffic incidents