Panicked driver calls 999 over police tail

POLICE have been criticised for pursuing a driver in an unmarked car and so terrifying him that he called 999 for help.

The man said he had no idea the car following him was a Strathclyde Police vehicle and drove for seven miles along a motorway fearing for his safety.

The Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS) found the detective constable, driving behind, showed poor knowledge of traffic laws and that the pursuit in an unmarked car was contrary to Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) guidelines.

In the PCCS report, the applicant, who was unnamed, said: “I noticed a red car in my rear view mirror flashing its front headlights furiously.

“This driving appeared very aggressive as the vehicle got quite close to my vehicle on a number of occasions, persistently flashing its lights.

“I slowed down to allow the vehicle to pass and continued my journey at approximately 50mph. The car pulled in front of me and slowed down.

“I was concerned by the vehicle’s behaviour and I started to dial the emergency services via ‘999’ from my mobile phone.

He added: “The experience of being chased by this vehicle was terrifying.”

The detective constable said his decision to pursue the man was “due to the outrageous manner of which he was driving his motor vehicle.”

However, the commissioner said: “It is entirely understandable that a member of the public in the applicant’s position would feel fearful.

“It is simply unacceptable he was placed in this position by police officers.”