ROAD accidents involving police cars have claimed the lives of three Lancashire people in a year, it was revealed today.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) today published the figures for the first time and said they were the first road deaths involving police in the county for at least four years.

IPCC Chairman Nick Hardwick today said he was concerned by the increase in road traffic deaths involving the police, not just in Lancashire but nationally.

He added: "This year there were a larger number of people killed but in a lower number of incidents.

"There is an issue for public debate here -- when you dial 999 you want the police to get there quickly, but there is a degree of risk involved in that.

"We have to have an intelligent debate about what degree of risk is acceptable and in what circumstances."

The deaths in Lancashire were:

l 24-year-old Shahid Akram, 24, of Poplar Street, Nelson, who crashed his car into a tree in Walton Lane in the town in March this year. Minutes earlier he had evaded police after a high-speed chase along the M65.

l 63-year-old Vivian Roberts, of Croston, Chorley, following a crash with a police car on an emergency call in Schleswig Way, Leyland, in January. PC Philip Grover, 43, has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with death by dangerous driving

l A 90-year-old Lancaster woman whose car collided with a police car on a sharp bend.

The IPCC also revealed it was investigating the death of Michael Crossley, 33, of Rochdale, in Whalley Road, Read, on March 26 this year.

The IPCC said that Mr Crossley was seen "intoxicated and walking into the path of vehicles" in the road.

Police were sent out but considered Mr Crossley fit to be left alone, said the IPCC.

A short time later, the IPCC said, Mr Crossley lay down in the road and died after being struck by a car.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed campaign, today claimed the rise in road deaths was due to a lack of training. He said: "We learned the lesson over 60 years ago when the police driver training establishment at Hendon demonstrated early success. It worked.

"Accidents involving police went down and stayed down. We have cut back training and accidents are going up. Those responsible must be held to account."

Detective Chief Supt Paul Harry, head of Lancashire police's professional standards department said he could not comment in detail as inquests and other legal proceedings were under way.

He added: "We treat all these incidents very seriously and carry out a very detailed investigation in each case. "