INDEPENDENT investigators have raised a number of concerns with the way Thames Valley Police conducted a pursuit which ended in the death of a teenager.

Matthew Seddon was killed when the car he was driving crashed into the central reservation on the A33 - flipping the vehicle.

The 19-year-old was then flung from the red Ford Fiesta and struck by a marked police car.

An inquest last month found the cause of death was in the initial part of the collision.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has today raised a number of issues with the way officers acted on the night of February 11, 2013.

Their investigation found that: - some officers involved in the pursuit did not know what the TVP guidelines permitted - or prevented - them from doing - the in-car video recording equipment in one pursuing car was faulty - a headset used in the control room during the pursuit did not work properly.

IPCC commissioner Derrick Campbell said: "This was a tragic incident which resulted in a young man losing his life.

"It is vital that all police officers who engage in pursuits are trained and equipped to make the right decisions.

"We provided our detailed report to TVP which has accepted our recommendations and taken action to address the standard of equipment used.

"Our thoughts remain with Matthew Seddon’s family and friends at this time."

Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford recorded a narrative verdict on October 28 that the speed Matthew was driving at, his failure to wear a seatbelt and a police car that had stopped in the carriageway all played a part in his death.

The three week inquest, which was decided on by a jury, also found that sufficient information had not been shared between officers on the ground and the force's Abingdon control room - including that officers were driving in excess of 90mph at times.

The IPCC has recommended police take steps to improve the reliability of its equipment.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Baldwin said: "Thames Valley Police acknowledges the Independent Police Complaint’s Commission’s report into the force's conduct during a vehicle pursuit which resulted in death of Matthew Seddon in Reading.

"As a result of this tragic case Thames Valley Police has reviewed a number of our policies and our training, and has improved the way we respond to incidents. For example, all our control room sergeants and supervisors who are involved in managing police pursuit activity from the control room perspective have been given additional training on how to make and record their decisions and actions."

Following the investigation, misconduct meetings were held with five officers who were involved in the pursuit.

One officer was given management advice and had six penalty points placed on his TVP driving licence.

No disciplinary action was taken against four other officers, although a case against one officer was proven on one point.