Police chases: are they worth it? – podcast

The public expect police to pursue bad guys, but a shocking tally of recent deaths has exposed the risks involved. Tom Lamont discusses how the death of Matthew Seddon could change how we think about police chases. And: Sirin Kale on sexist dress codes

The Matthew Seddon police chase lasted 4min 22sec and ended in his death. Its aftermath, however, continued for years. Judges, investigators, witnesses, relatives and their lawyers, constables, police drivers, control-room officers and their silks all picked over the momentary choices made by Seddon and Thames Valley police in an attempt to work out what had happened and who was ultimately responsible for his death - the pursued or the pursuer?

Anushka Asthana talks to Tom Lamont, who looked into what happens when a police chase goes wrong. Between the time of Seddon's death in 2013 and the end of the inquiry into it, at least 93 people died in chases in England and Wales. Julie Sneddon, Matthew's mother, also talks to Anushka about the impact of his death on her life.