Police drivers are taking "unnecessary risks" in high-speed chases, a watchdog said today.

Officers are failing to follow guidelines and some may even be unaware of them, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The report also uncovered evidence that some drivers misled senior officers by claiming they were not in a pursuit when inspectors later found they "clearly were".

Examples of inappropriate vehicles such as 4x4s and vans being used in chases were also uncovered by the IPCC.

Guidelines published three years ago stated that such vehicles should not be deployed because of their limited handling.

Officials examined 275 incidents which took place between April 2004 and September last year which led to 115 deaths and 273 injuries.

The report said:
:: Black box data recorders similar to those used in aircraft should be fitted to all police vehicles;
:: Officers should not pursue suspects riding motorcycles unless they believe a serious crime has been committed;
:: Police guidelines should cover what officers must do if a target vehicle drives the wrong way down a motorway;
:: Police must come up with better plans to resolve chases before starting them.