PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has stepped up his campaign to get aircraft-style black boxes installed in all police vehicles as part of a move to cut accidents during chases.

In April, the Labour MP called for the introduction of new rules covering the way police drivers respond to emergencies after revealing that thousands of people are injured in accidents involving patrol cars responding to 999 calls.

In 1997/98, 2,123 people were hurt and 15 killed by patrol cars.

"The sooner these black boxes are routinely installed in all police vehicles the better," said Mr Prentice.

He has urged Home Office Minister Paul Boetang to encourage Chief Constables to follow the lead of the Metropolitan Police which has started to install the devices.

The Minister told Mr Prentice: "It is an operational matter for the chief officer of police to decide whether to fit recording equipment.

"I understand that the Metropolitan Police service has decided to fit such a device in many vehicles as a management tool to promote their economical and proper use. If any of these were to be involved in an accident the equipment would provide independent evidence of the vehicle's speed.

"I am sure other forces will be taking a close interest in the Metropolitan Police approach."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.