Ex-PC barred from policing after 134mph M5 pursuit

A former PC who pursued a car at 134mph despite not being authorised to do so has been barred from policing after his behaviour was found to have amounted to gross misconduct.

Andrew Wood, who worked for Gloucestershire Police, drove at the high speed after receiving a dispatch message from the force control room regarding a suspected stolen car that was being followed by West Mercia Police on the M5 on 5 August 2023.

The PC was suspended following the incident before resigning from the force in October.

At an accelerated misconduct hearing on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson and the panel decided Wood would have been sacked had he not already resigned.

Dep Ch Con Katy Barrow-Grint said Wood's actions were "irresponsible and endangered the lives of other motorists".

"He refused to accept he took part in a police pursuit, claiming he was acting as a safety vehicle, and this denial highlights the contempt in which he held the policies which are in place to protect the public."

She added she hoped the outcome of the hearing would reassure the public the force would take "robust action" to address dishonesty.

"Former PC Wood may have resigned but his name has now been added to the police barred list, meaning he won't be able to work in policing for at least the next five years, if ever again."

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