We’re backing Cassie’s Law, says top cop (From Gazette)

We’re backing Cassie’s Law, says top cop

1:41pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Local News By Wendy Brading

A LEADING police officer has praised the courage of a campaigning mother who is fighting for a change in the law after her 16-year-old daughter was killed.

Colchester Sixth Form student Cassie McCord died after a car driven by 87-year-old Colin Horsfall drove into her as she stood on the pavement in Head Street, Colchester.

Three days earlier he had been asked by police to surrender his licence after another driving incident – but had refused to do so.

Cassie’s mother, Jackie, is leading a campaign for Cassie’s Law, which would give police officers the power to temporarily seize a licence where they consider the driver unfit. It would then be down to the DVLA to determine whether the licence is returned.

Mrs McCord has received a letter of support from Sean White, the assistant chief constable of Cleveland, who is the lead officer for collision investigation for the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Mr White wrote: “It is right to say there is a gap in the law in respect of the powers of police officers to deal with such individuals as in the case of Cassie’s tragic loss.

“It was, of course, the case police officers had sought to discourage the driver from using his car in the days prior to your daughter’s tragic death. Had statutory powers been in place at the time, I feel certain my colleagues in Essex would have temporarily revoked or suspended the driver’s licence and referred him to the DVLA and the medical authority for further medical inquiry.

“I want to give you my fullest support and have already mentioned this item to the Department for Transport during one of our meetings. I will ensure it is again raised with them.”

Mr White added: “I wish you all the best for the future and thank you for finding the courage and strength of character to work tirelessly in support of other families in preventing such terrible incidents from occurring in the future, even though you and your family have suffered such a great loss.”

Cassie’s Law has the support of Essex Police and more than 20,000 people have signed a petition in its favour.

To support the campaign, e-mail your name and address to ecs.letters@nqe.

com or download a petition form from www.essexcounty standard.co.uk. Click on the link to Cassie’s Law.

Alternatively, go to the Government’s website for petitions at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ and search for Cassie’s Law.

l See Monday’s Gazette for a special report on the first anniversary of Cassie’s death.