AN MP has backed a campaign to improve protection for police drivers involved in car chases and rapid response incidents.

Jake Berry, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, has been asked to seek a change in the law on dangerous driving to raise the threshold for prosecution by the Police Federation.

The Conservative politician will now rise the issue with home secretary Amber Rudd and policing minister Brandon Lewis.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, asked for Mr Berry’s help after he raised the case of former special constable Andrew Blades at Westminster last year.

The Bacup resident pleaded guilty to dangerous driving for causing minor injuries to a teenage motorcyclist and his 12-year-old passenger after positioning his police car in the path of their bike while on duty.

Mr Blades received a 12-month driving ban, was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service and pay his victims £100 compensation each and quit his position.

Mr Berry said: “Trained police drivers currently have exemptions for going through red traffic signals and for speeding when on blue-light missions.

“I want to see the same protection for them from being prosecute for dangerous driving when they are correctly chasing other vehicles or on blue-light rapid responses.

“I am seeking an opportunity to add an amendment to a policing bill and will be asking the home secretary to assist with this.

“Police drivers deserve better protection in high-speed situations.”

He is also concerned at other cases including PC Andrew Verrell, a Hampshire firearms officer facing trial over a 2015 accident where he injured a member of the public while on a blue-light trip to a violent domestic incident.

He is also concerned about PC James Ellerton, a Merseyside firearms officer, prosecuted and cleared over 2013 collision with the rider of a scrambler bike who sustained a fractured leg.

Mr Berry has said he will also look at other options if necessary such as a Private Member’s or 10 Minute Rule Bill and holding a special adjournment debate at Westminster.