Police refers itself to conduct body over crash

A force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after four people were injured in a road crash following a police pursuit.

Officers were called to reports of knives seen at an address in the village of Althorne, in Essex, at about 13:10 GMT on Tuesday, with two suspects leaving the scene in a car.

Officers followed the vehicle before it collided with a van on the northbound carriageway of the A130 at about 13:50.

Two people were injured in each vehicle and and were taken to hospital, Essex Police said.

None of the injuries sustained by those in the van or the car were thought to be life-threatening, the force added.

A driver and passenger in the car were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

Ch Supt Scott Egerton said: "We are in regular contact with all those involved in this incident and our investigation is continuing at pace.

"As we would with any incident of this nature, we have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

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