It seems somewhat picky to criticise the police for one criminal’s dangerous driving.

After all, imagine the outcry if the cops had refused to chase Mark Everitt for health and safety reasons.

Perhaps there would not have been any dangerous driving if the 27-year-old had not been chased by officers.

But police believed his car had stolen number plates and CCTV appeared to show him speeding before being chased.

Not all police are trained in pursuit tactics. And those who are have undergone rigorous tuition.

Indeed, there are a series of stringent measures in place to look at such tactics if and when something goes wrong, usually involving the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

It is, of course, important to keep a check on how police use their powers and quite right of Judge Christopher Compston to raise the issue.

But you cannot blame the police for this man’s criminality.

Using the same logic, you could explain away assaults on prison officers and attacks on police.

After all, they too would never happen if no-one was arrested or jailed.

However, when public safety is at stake it is paramount the police investigate and learn from each and every incident.

It is vital the public have trust in police officers, and that we all remember what an unenviable position they are in.