The number of crashes involving Met Police drivers responding to an emergency or pursuing a suspect vehicle has increased in the last year. 

There were 1,748 crashes in 2015/16, rising from 1,649 the previous year and 1,492 in 2013/14, figures from London Mayor Sadiq Khan's office revealed.

Officers pursuing vehicles were in 498 crashes in the past year, compared to 434 and 474 in the two previous years.

August 11: Full investigation launched into police actions after Wandsworth chase leads to crash in which Acacia Smith died

August 10: Woman killed after police chase car crash in Wandsworth Bridge Road named locally as Caysha Smith

On Tuesday, August 9, Acacia Smith, a 25-year-old care worker from Acton, died in a crash in Wandsworth Bridge Road as officers pursued the car she was travelling in.

Craig Kearney, her partner and the driver of the car, is in hospital following the crash. 

An independent IPCC investigation is under way as to the actions of officers before the crash. 

Met Police said it "continues to strive" to reduce such crashes.

The figures for three financial years were released in response to a written question to the mayor from Conservative London Assembly member Steve O'Connell.

Mr O'Connell said: "The safety of both police officers and the general public has to be the highest priority during high-speed pursuits and responses.

"Clearly there is a need for police vehicles to drive at high speeds in emergency situations but it is a worrying trend to see an increase in the number of collisions and one that must be reversed.

"It is vitally important that police pursuits are conducted as safely as possible. I'll be asking the Mayor to look closely at this increase and to assess ways in which the risks can be reduced for all involved."

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) maintains a high standard of recording where its vehicles have been involved in some form of collision during pursuits.

"Any damage, no matter how minor, would be recorded as a Pursuit Incident, these include minor scuffs or scratches on any vehicle and where the vehicle that failed to stop for police is damaged when it is abandoned by the suspect.

"The MPS continues to strive to reduce incidents resulting from pursuits and has a strict pursuit policy in line with nationally approved tactics. Only specially trained officers may carry out pursuits.

"All pursuits are controlled on a dedicated radio channel with Tactical Advisers using nationally-approved tactics to ensure any pursuits are brought to a safe conclusion or pre-emptive tactics to stop pursuits happening in the first place.

"New tactics and pursuit training has been developed and is currently being rolled out to all officers trained in tactical pursuit and containment tactics - again, to ensure pursuits are brought to a safe conclusion."