My husband was stationary in a tail-back on a dual carriageway. He was hit by a police van with ten police in it. No-one was breathalysed. When we made enquiries we were told that he 'hadn't reported it to the police'. How many people are killed by police cars every year?

H Varley, Hereford, UK

As in the cases of Harry Stanley and Jean-Charles de Menezes, the police make a mistake and someone dies. No one is to blame; if pressed, the authorities will tell us that "you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs" or something to that effect.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

Anyone else would be up in court for causing death by dangerous driving and so should this policeman and those who instructed him. The fact they are not removes any fragment of legitimacy this country's violent, oppressive and corrupt police force had left. And to blame the victim is disgusting.

Samuel, Aberdeen,

thank you for all your well informed comments, so mature that you wait to get the facts before arriving at your verdicts.

J.Mather, Hong Kong,

Our thoughts are with her family. Our 16 year old sat his English, like her that morning.
The police have a lot to answer to, but my money is on "no further action"! Anyone else in an accident is automatically 'arrested' as an excuse to take their DNA.
They seem to be above the law.

Michael Henry, Bournemouth, Dorset

Martin, Nottingham. The running lights are the very dim and don't show up well in built up areas at night. Because people are upset that a police vehicle, travelling at high speed, without blue's and two's and which kills a young girl, doesn't make them thick!

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

It is very sad when a young person is killed. Police driving fast should do so with great care. The parents now have to live with the knowledge that if they had ensured that their daughter was getting the good rest that she needed before an exam, (1hr 45mins) it would not have happened.

Rose, Colchester, UK

So how long till the police find the police inoccent and nothing happens?

Is it any wounder no one trusts the police any more?

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

I'm 16, I have a 16 year old girlfriend, if this was my girlfriend i would be so so so heartbroken and angry at the police.

Safety is much more important than a stolen car, hve a heart people, what time it was is not important, and the time it was should've added to the police having thr lights on.

Dan, London, United Kingdom

Innocent until proven guily I believe is how the phrase goes. None of you know why the Police vehicle was travelling at speed, but have decided the driver is already guilty of a criminal offence.

The IPCC are not police officers and it is they who will be conducting the enquiry

John, Douglas,

If the copper is in the wrong throw the book at him, but I would guess most of the people who commented here would be the first to winge if thew were burgled and the police did nothing because they might be in an accident. It is a tragic story but lets here the facts first.

GJ, Durham, UK

I agree with the comments that the driver will get away with this for all sorts of reasons which will in my opinion be a mixture of lies and untruths. Yes the driver should have been instantly arrested by his collegues and no stone should be left unturned as to what "games" the police were playing

Keith, leeds, UK

As someone else mentioned below, all Volvo's have daytime running lights so there were at least side-lights on, that doesn't mean there were main beam headlights though. Anyway, for you people saying she shouldn't have been out, would you not go out the night before a job interview? Blame where due

Adam, London,

We know Police drive too fast in built up areas, they have an arogant attitude. There is no need for it. Its part of their Adrenalin Rush, there will be a Cover Up, its the nature of the Police system. My condolences to Hayley's family,poor Girl,an Innocent life lost. Arresting her friend was wrong

Denny M, Coventry,

Indeed a tragic event. There are few solid facts as of yet, how can we comment so strongly based simply on witness observations and assumptions? Leave the police alone, if it wasn't for them this country would be out of control. Lets wait for the facts before placing a blame.

Sarah, London, UK

Not all people are thick Clive. Some are paranoid with absolutely no proof to back up their accusations. Knee jerk reactions don't help anyone. If the police are so corrupt/and or incompetent then you won't be calling them the next time you're the victim of crime will you?

Debs, newcastle, UK

We don't know the full facts yet and the witnesses are hardly impartial so this I fear will take a long time to resolve.
The media don't help by taking sides so it will difficult to tell what the truth is.

senua, Cardiff,

For Chris of Stafford, I am sure you have felt frustrated for a long time about not getting public support. The problem lies not with you front line officers, but more with very senior officers who have become ever more politicised (like Ian Blair), acquiescing to inept, reactive political pressure.

Padraig, Perth, Australia

The Cops once again have gone to far. How many must die before we reign these maniacs in

Mark, Newcastle, Tyne Wear

Isn't it strange that when the general population are getting bigger and cleverer the Police are getting smaller and can join without any qualifications. Does the State need them to be like this so that they cannot leave when they see the Bad things that the State gets them to do.

Mark, Newcastle, Tyne Wear

All Volvo police cars do not always have headlights on as they are sometimes modified whilst in police use to overide this function.A large percentage of the public believe the police close ranks to protect themselves and frustrate a impartial investigation,they are not THICK

Clive Flood, Exeter, England

No one knows the facts. All they have is the say so of a group of the victim's friends. The fact Volvos ALWAYS have lights on doesn't make their account ring true so far. Don't talk about locking up and throwing away the key just yet.

Debs, newcastle, UK

My 16 year old daughter is also busy with GCSE's.

As she has an evening job (in a pizza takeaway) she is "on the streets" late twice a week - on her way home.... a 2 minute walk...

Perhaps Hayley to had good reason to be out at 11.20.

The driver should be arrested immediately.

Louise Hardy, Mirfield, England

lets be honest there will be a cover up. we are accountable even for a lid on our bins but the "establishment" can do what they like. mp's expenses, shooting people, taxes the government have one rule we have another. we witness police driving too fast all the time , put them away if they are guilty

darren west, london,

These comments have only confirmed to me that I am making the right decision in resigning as a Police officer. Whatever the circumstances, it appears that most of the above commentators have made up their minds. I am sick of this attitude and have been assaulted and abused on your behalf too often.

Chris, Stafford, England

Why is everybody blaming this girl for being out at 11.00 pm? At what time of night do they think it is okay to be killed by a police car? If they are burgled, is it their fault for living in that house?

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

some of these comments are crass. because a girl was out at 11.30 she deserves to be killed? the copper, of course, will get away with it and probably get promoted. my 16 year old daughter is doing her GCSEs at the moment, and my thoughts are with her family.

tone, cambridge,

The police have become a greater threat to this country than any 'terrorist' could ever be! They have aided and abetted this treasonous government in the destruction of the United Kingdom and the liberty for which our ancestors fought and died. Saying you were just following orders is no defence!

Harry, London, UK

Mo, Eltham
fitting a black box to all police cars will not reduce accidents. It just records what happens in the build up to one, it won't prevent them.

mike, nottingham,

I am a diabled (wheelchair user) father of five, what chance would I have had if it was me crossing the road? There will always be a need for the police to drive fast, but it should never be at the risk of others! My deepest sympathys to all who new her.

Marcus, Northwich,

Why wasn't the driver arrested?

william Haines, northwood,

What difference does it make if she should have been out or not ? The point is she was there and it could have been anyone ( regardless of exams ) . Some people ... Always making excuses .

Benzo , Nr Chelmsford,

This is a terrible accident and I agree that the Policeman will probably get off with it. But there is a point here about why a 16 year old (and some of her friends seem to have been much younger) was wandering the streets at 11.30pm? When I was 16 my curfew was 10pm every night.

Josie, Leeds, UK

Scott, I don't think you can compare this to what happened in Manchester; where the police were anything but heavy-handed. I agree with the first reactions... a 16 year old should not be out on the streets at 11:20 when they have an exam at 9:00 the next day. I think the truth is yet to come.

Emma, Bolton, Lancs

Just how many more accidents involving police cars do there have to be before something is done. This beggars belief. As for the tazering... I am speechless.

Paul Murray, Mottram St. Andrew, UK

Black Box systems that monitor everything including wether lights are on or off, brakes, speed & direction of travel have been available for some time now and should be fitted to all Police response vehicles.
The installation costs will be easily recouped by the reduction in "accidents" .

Mo, Eltham, England

A tragic acident. Also all Volvo's, including police cars, have daylight running lights, that is their headlights are on all the time.
Whenever there is an accident involving the Police why does it always provoke a negative reaction towards the police from thick people?

Martin, Nottingham,

I'm a big supporter of the police generally, but I can't believe that the only people who have been arrested are her friends and boyfriend. One would think he may be a tad upset.

Tim Short, Sydney, Oz

Having been a copper myself, police are human and they do stupid things. When they do, they must be held accountable just as anyone else. Even it means prison. In the "old days" they were more accountable.

The officer should not have been arrested on the spot. That is not how the law works.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Why a lot of you are criticising her being out after 11 at night is beyond me. The fact remains that she was killed by dangerous driving, regardless of why she was there or the area of Newcastle in which it took place. Have some sympathy for the family.

Alice, Newcastle, UK

Is this another case of blaming the victim? Or blaming the young? If a group of middle-aged men had been crossing the street after an evening at the pub, would they be criticized for not being home with their families? Or would the focus be on the facts of the incident?

Jane, Portland OR, USA

Lights and sirens or not, I believe the police should always drive with care. Recieving word that there is a wanted vehicle or criminal in an area surely does not justify high speed pursuit style driving, unless it's a serial killer on the rampage. I shant dignify comments about her being out late!

sknight, uxbridge, uk

Let me get this straight, JoeT/John/Nadia/Dave/Aaron.

A car races down the street, above the speed limit judging by how far the victim was thrown, with no headlights on after 11pm, and somehow it's the victim's fault? Would you be saying that if it wasn't a police vehicle?

Mark, Antwerp, Belgium

I can't believe some of these postings. This is a free country is it not? What next, 9 pm curfews so that the Stasi can be free to 'accidentally' kill anyone they wish?

Paul, Coventry,

Absolutely no doubt that the officer drivimg the car will get off without charge. Now if it was a 17 year old...7 years inside...the comments about being in before an exam are ridiculous...the police killed her they should take responsibility ..but they won't..lets all blame the parents their fault.

galen moore, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

in view of the number of collisions reported involving police vehicles, is it not time they were fitted with tachographs to monitor their speed and if possible use of sirens/lights when tragic events like this happen.

alan, somerset,

Police have caused a death and over react by tasering. Then they are worried about a riot they caused.
Maybe the Manchester riots at the football are because of police overreaction? You cannot excuse the drunkness & charging but the police are over the top & antagonistic in a lot of situations.

Scott, London,

The appropriate charge would be 'causing death by dangerous driving', I think.

Are we to assume a policeman has been charged?

Why are there 2 sets of laws, one for us and another for Police?

Tony Silver, London,

This is such a tragedy, i just pray that the disturbance by those angered by the ACCIDENT did not compound the girls injuries hence leading to her death.

My heart to those closest to Hayley.

Laurence Hardy, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

how can people read this article and conclude that her being out past 11pm is to blame for this tragic accident?

that the policeman did or didnt use all possible means of protecting the public is surely the only question that needs asking

my sympathies to family and friends as well the policeman

Michael, Nottingham,

I can not imagine how you would question what the 16 year old were doing before an exam albeit 11:20pm. Perhaps they would go to a cafe, relax, share some thoughts about the upcoming exam, sleep thereafter and then go the exam. An irresponsible act by the police driver should not thought otherwise.

Ranga, Bostobn, USA

she shouldn't have been out so late before an exam but the police officer should have had his lights and siren on (if it's true that he didn't)

Alice Burdge, Glasgow, UK

A young man driving a powerful car mows down and kills a pedestrian, and then one of his mates assaults a witness with a dangerous weapon. There can be no excuses, and there should be no doubt about the outcome. But in the police state that is modern Britain, of course they will get off scot free.

TIm Bartlett, Upwell, UK

The police always get away with it, they are above the law!!

Geodfrey Jeffreys, Stavanger, Norway

I hardly feel that questioning why teenagers were out at that time is appropriate.

simon andrews, Bristol, Bristol

It's the West End so it's not the best end but I am pretty sure in thinking that someone should be sent down for a lengthy time for this.

Copper or not, you should drive safely at all times.

Andy Ringhan, Belfast,

Smacks of typical police behaviour...how long have they had the 'taser' system? A few months and they're already zapping members of the public. Was the taser really the right thing to use in this situation - caused by the police - when tensions are running high? Really classic policing!

Tom, Uppingham,

Why has the police officer not been arrested and charged?

Will this be another case of the police protecting their own?

Mark, London,

i cant believe that only one out of these five comments is pointing out the policemans blame

send him to jail and throw away the key

james, maidenhead, england

Breaking the speed limit is about as exciting it gets for the police, hope they think it was worth it.

nigel, swindon, uK

John's right, what was she doing out so late with her friends before an exam?
Maybe we should bring back those adverts on TV, its 10pm do you know where your children are?

What a waste.

Aaron Perugini, Essex,

If these reports are substantiated then the police officer should be jailed without a shadow of a doubt.

Adam Hunt, London, UK

Tragic story but could've been easily avoided had a bunch of 16yr old girls not been wandering about at 11.20pm when they had an exam the next day. Interesting use of a taser too, was it really necessary?

Dave, Brighton,

Such a terrible accident I really feel for the girls family, but also for the poor police officer driving the car.

SB, Bristol,

Presumably the police were involved in some chasing a dangerous and desperate criminal - like someone who had been driving 4 mph over the speed limit, or maybe someone who had not paid a parking fine or their TV licence. I hope they think it was worth it.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

What was the poor girl doing out at 11:20 pm, the night before an important exam no less??

Nadia, Harrow, Middx

Such a tragic loss of a young life. Although our sympathies should go to her family, what was their 16 year old daughter doing out at 11:20pm last night, the night before her GCSE exam?

John, London, England

What was a 16 year old girl doing out at 11,20 the night before her enlgish GCSE exam

JoeT, Ipswich,