Police force fined after student officer hurt

A police force has been fined £85,800 after a student officer was seriously injured while responding to a crash on Christmas Eve 2023.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the matter resulted from West Mercia Police failing to manage the risks when the officer was hit by a passing car while managing traffic.

The 22-year-old suffered injuries the HSE said were "life-threatening and life-changing".

The HSE said the force admitted breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was also ordered to pay £9,402 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Friday.

The HSE said the student officer had been responding to a crash on the A4117 Ludlow Road in Snitton, near Bridgnorth in Shropshire.

He was standing on the bend of a single carriageway which had no street lighting and a 60mph speed limit.

An HSE investigation found the West Mercia force failed to "do all that was reasonably practicable to manage the risks arising from or in connection with traffic collisions".

It said risk assessments were not suitable and adequate safety equipment had not been provided.

There was also a lack of suitable information, instruction and training for officers, the HSE stated.

HSE Inspector Keeley Eves said it was recognised that police officers faced "significant and serious dangers as part of their normal work".

But she added: "Police officers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks while keeping the public safe."

The HSE said that after the incident the force made "significant changes, which included revisions to risk assessments, policies, procedures, equipment and training".

Asst Ch Con Grant Wills said: "Over recent months we've made significant changes to our road related risk assessments and procedures we had in place at the time.

"We've also increased the levels of training that we give to our officers and purchased additional safety equipment."

He also said the injured officer had shown "immense determination and strength throughout his recovery" and continued to serve the force.

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