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Police bike is 'serious threat' Police bike is 'serious threat'
(40 minutes later)
A standard issue police motorbike used by 22 forces poses a "serious" threat to riders' lives, a coroner has said.A standard issue police motorbike used by 22 forces poses a "serious" threat to riders' lives, a coroner has said.
Dr James Adeley is to write to chief constables across England and Wales to warn them of a "catastrophic result" which can occur with the Honda model.Dr James Adeley is to write to chief constables across England and Wales to warn them of a "catastrophic result" which can occur with the Honda model.
He was speaking at the inquest into the death of David Shreeve, of Wirral, who was thrown off a bike while training. He was speaking at an inquest into the death of Pc David Shreeve, of Wirral, who was thrown off a bike in training.
Honda said safety was paramount and it would continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's words.Honda said safety was paramount and it would continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's words.
The inquest in Lancaster heard that Pc Shreeve lost control after the bike began to shake violently at high speed. Pc Shreeve, 38, was travelling at about 110mph along the M58 motorway near Skelmersdale, Lancashire, on 9 November 2005 when he lost control.
The Merseyside Police officer was crushed to death under a lorry after he fell from the Honda Pan European ST1300 in November 2005. The inquest in Lancaster heard that the bike began to shake violently in a phenomenon known as high speed weave.
He had experienced a phenomenon known as high speed weave - a sideways snaking motion which can make the bike uncontrollable. The Merseyside Police officer was crushed to death under a lorry after he fell off.
Dr Adeley recorded a narrative verdict into the death.
We will continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's verdict Honda spokeswomanWe will continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's verdict Honda spokeswoman
The Preston and West Lancashire coroner told the inquest that after Pc Shreeve's death the model underwent comprehensive safety checks.The Preston and West Lancashire coroner told the inquest that after Pc Shreeve's death the model underwent comprehensive safety checks.
In one test an examiner broke his leg and fractured both wrists after being thrown off in another high speed weave.In one test an examiner broke his leg and fractured both wrists after being thrown off in another high speed weave.
One Lancashire Constabulary examiner, Peter Wilson, reported the problem was "the worst weave on any bike he had tested in his career", the inquest heard.
Merseyside Police immediately withdrew all models from service after the accident but there are around 450 police Honda ST1300s being used by officers across the country.Merseyside Police immediately withdrew all models from service after the accident but there are around 450 police Honda ST1300s being used by officers across the country.
Pc Shreeve, 38, was travelling at about 110mph along the M58 motorway near Skelmersdale, Lancashire, on 9 November 2005 when he lost control.
Dr Adeley recorded a narrative verdict into the death.
The inquest was told that problems affected only police models of the motorcycle with their heavy emergency and communications equipment.The inquest was told that problems affected only police models of the motorcycle with their heavy emergency and communications equipment.
'Continued threat' Where officers have complied with Acpo guidelines and testing procedures, no-one has been killed or injured as a result of this issue Meredydd Hughes, Acpo
The first reports of problems encountered by officers using the ST1300 emerged in January 2003 and after tests riders were told not to exceed 80mph.
Tests showed that the unpredictable weave occurred when the bike travelled about 70mph or 80mph.
One Lancashire Constabulary examiner, Peter Wilson, reported the problem was "the worst weave on any bike he had tested in his career", the inquest heard.
In summing up, Dr Adeley said: "I propose to write individually to all chief constables of England and Wales to inform them from the evidence that I have heard during the course of this inquest that the Honda Pan European ST1300A motorcycle - in police specification - poses a serious and continued threat to the health and life of officers using the motorcycle in excess of 80mph.In summing up, Dr Adeley said: "I propose to write individually to all chief constables of England and Wales to inform them from the evidence that I have heard during the course of this inquest that the Honda Pan European ST1300A motorcycle - in police specification - poses a serious and continued threat to the health and life of officers using the motorcycle in excess of 80mph.
"The evidence that I have heard convinces me that at speed in excess of 80mph and in variable circumstances, which cannot be predicted, the motorcycle has a tendency to develop a violent and sudden weave which results in a loss of control with catastrophic results for the individual officer involved.""The evidence that I have heard convinces me that at speed in excess of 80mph and in variable circumstances, which cannot be predicted, the motorcycle has a tendency to develop a violent and sudden weave which results in a loss of control with catastrophic results for the individual officer involved."
Pc Shreeve was described as a "good officer and a nice fellow" who was a "careful, competent, not panicky and a cerebral rider".Pc Shreeve was described as a "good officer and a nice fellow" who was a "careful, competent, not panicky and a cerebral rider".
In a statement, his wife, Jeanette, said: "I am pleased that the inquest has now finished and that Dave has been exonerated of any blame.In a statement, his wife, Jeanette, said: "I am pleased that the inquest has now finished and that Dave has been exonerated of any blame.
"Both myself and the children can now hopefully move forward with our lives.""Both myself and the children can now hopefully move forward with our lives."
Force guidelines
Honda said it had a strong working relationship with the majority of the police forces across the UK, which had lasted more than 15 years.Honda said it had a strong working relationship with the majority of the police forces across the UK, which had lasted more than 15 years.
"For Honda the safety of our riders is paramount," a spokeswoman said."For Honda the safety of our riders is paramount," a spokeswoman said.
"We will continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's verdict." "We will continue to liaise with the police in light of the coroner's verdict.
"At this time our thoughts are with Mrs Shreeve and the family of Pc David Shreeve," she added.
Meredydd Hughes, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said initial guidance limiting the speed and use of the bike was given in late 2006.
In March 2007, further guidance was given to all forces after more tests.
"Compliance with this and testing would ensure that the motorcycles could be used safely by police officers," said Mr Hughes.
"Where officers have complied with Acpo guidelines and testing procedures, no-one has been killed or injured as a result of this issue."
Mr Hughes said Acpo would consider the coroner's comments and consider any new evidence.