No further action after police bike-chase injury

No further investigation will be carried out after a man suffered a broken leg when he was knocked over by a motorcyclist who police officers were trying to stop, the police watchdog has confirmed.

Joe Hart was injured in a car park near Bournemouth seafront during a Dorset Police operation to prevent an illegal procession of motorbikes and e-bikes on 13 December.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed no independent investigation was required after Dorset Police had referred itself to the watchdog.

Four men were arrested and a number of vehicles were seized during the gathering.

Speaking after the incident, Mr Hart told the BBC he and his wife were returning to their car when they saw a large police presence on Exeter Road and Bath Road near the pier.

After hearing "the police shout and scream", Mr Hart said there was a tussle and a motorbike struck him at about "20 to 30mph".

Mr Hart praised the police response as "excellent".

"They were very supportive. They managed to get the rider, they contained him from trying to get back on the bike and trying to flee the scene."

He described the gathering as "very menacing".

"It was literally 'we're going to go into town and we're going to cause as much havoc and we're going to intimidate as many people with our black balaclava on as possible'.

In a previous statement, Dorset Police said: "Officers on foot attempted to stop the vehicle shortly before the collision with the pedestrian."

"Due to a serious injury occurring following police contact, a mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC."

The force has since confirmed that following a review by the Dorset Police Professional Standards Department, no further action would be taken in relation to the referral.