Rank-and-file officers have called on the country's police watchdog resign following the publication of his report into a crash which killed five teenagers.

Daniel Carwardine and Danielle Martin, both 16, Kelly Goring, 17, Barrie Mackay, 15, and Lee Morgan, 14, all from St Leonards, were killed when their stolen vehicle crashed into a lamp post and wall in Battle Road, St Leonards, in October 2005.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) today released its findings from an investigation into misconduct by acting Sergeant Paul Sandeman, 29, who was on in an unauthorised pursuit of the car when it crashed.

An inquest into the deaths earlier this year found the officer not to be at fault and that there was confusion over Sussex Police's pursuit policy.

The IPCC has come to the same conclusion as the inquest - leaving officers wondering why the investigation into possible misconduct took place at all.

Brian Stockham, chairman of Sussex Police Federation, said: "Firstly we would wish to re-emphasise our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives.

"We understand their grief will be heightened again by the further Press coverage some 18 months after the incident.

"In many cases around the country the independence of this organisation has been questioned. However they are apparently accountable to no-one.

"For the continuing pain they have caused to not only our officer but the bereaved families by their indecision. I now publicly call on them for confirmation that they will review their handling of this matter.

"In fact as a matter of honour the commissioner responsible, Mike Franklin, ought to consider resigning, after all if a police senior investigating officer had acted in this way they would certainly be considered for disciplinary sanction.

"Any of our investigators acting this slowly in making decisions would be challenged by their peers as to whether they could find the toilet without an escort."

The IPCC recommended a force review into how it informs people about loved-ones deaths as a "substantial delay" after the crash meant that some found out their children were involved before official police confirmation.

The report concluded that the force's road traffic department did not have the right equipment to cover the dead and their car and that screens should be bought to use in future accidents.

Deputy chief constable Geoff Williams said: "There are of course lessons we can learn and a number of detailed points have been drawn to our attention by the IPCC."

He added that a new force policy had been adopted on police pursuits and that a programme of additional training had begun.

A spokesman said the force would not be making further comment.