Durham Police Commended for Safe, Skilled Response in Motorcycle Chase

DURHAM, England — Officers with Durham Constabulary are being recognized for their professionalism during a high-speed motorcycle pursuit in Chester-le-Street, where a fleeing rider crashed and injured a young pedestrian after recklessly evading police through public streets.

The incident began when officers identified a stolen Kawasaki 300 motorcycle and attempted a traffic stop. The rider — 19-year-old Ciaran Parker — refused to stop and accelerated away, leading police on a pursuit through residential neighborhoods at speeds reaching 60 mph in 30 mph zones.

Parker, who was riding without a helmet, mounted pavements and drove erratically through pedestrian areas, putting the public at risk. The pursuit came to a sudden end in Chester-le-Street town centre when Parker lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. Debris from the collision struck a child nearby, who required medical attention.

Durham Constabulary confirmed that emergency services responded immediately and that the child’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Parker was also injured in the crash and taken to hospital. A toxicology report revealed that he had cannabis in his system at the time of the incident.

Police later released video footage of the pursuit, which shows the severity of the danger posed by Parker’s actions and the professionalism of officers who maintained safe pursuit protocols throughout.

Following an investigation, Parker pleaded guilty to several charges, including aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, drug driving, and operating without a license or insurance. In February 2025, he was sentenced to 14 months in a Young Offender Institution and received a two-year driving ban.

“This incident demonstrates the serious consequences of reckless behavior on our roads,” a Durham Constabulary spokesperson said following sentencing. “We are grateful no lives were lost and continue to offer support to the injured child’s family.”

Community members and local officials commended the officers’ efforts to safely end the pursuit and prevent further harm.

“This could have ended much worse,” one resident said. “The fact that police were able to bring it to a close without further injury speaks to their professionalism.”

Durham Constabulary reiterated its commitment to road safety and encouraged the public to report any suspicious or dangerous driving.

“We will not tolerate behavior that puts our communities at risk,” the spokesperson added. “We thank the public for their support and urge anyone with further information or footage of the incident to come forward.”

The case serves as a reminder of the challenges officers face daily and the importance of responsible driving behavior.