The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into the deaths of four men who died in a car crash last August has been concluded.

Driver Murtza Chaudhry and his passenger Arbaaz Hussain, who were both aged 21, Zeeshan Khalid, aged 20 and Tayyab Siddique, 22, all died when their car hit a tree on Toller Lane in the early hours of August 2, following a police pursuit lasting 34 seconds.

Before the crash, officers were concerned about the manner in which the car was being driven on Stony Lane.

A short pursuit began after they failed to stop for officers and the IOPC has revealed the investigation examined:

◾In-car footage and audio transmissions from the unmarked police car;
◾Detailed accounts from the officers in the unmarked police car and from the officers in a marked police car, which later attended the scene;
◾Accounts from a number of witnesses in the community, and;
◾Local CCTV from the scene.

The officers involved have been treated as witnesses throughout the investigation and West Yorkshire Police has provided with a copy of the IOPC's final report. 

This will not be made public until the inquests of the four men have concluded.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle: “Firstly, our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident including the families, the emergency services and the wider community.

"I would particularly like to thank the men’s families and officers involved for their engagement throughout our investigation, which has enabled our investigative team to conclude their work as promptly as possible.

"Our final report is now with West Yorkshire Police for their consideration, as is the proper procedure. The families of the young men who died have received regular updates from us throughout the investigation and we will discuss our report with them soon.

"The next step is to await the conclusion of any inquest proceedings before we can consider the publication of our findings.”