West Mercia Police fined over health and safety failings

On Christmas Eve 2023 a 22-year-old student police constable was struck by a car on the A4117, Ludlow Road in Snitton, Shropshire, while responding to a traffic collision.

The accident had occurred on a single carriageway road that had no street lighting and where the national speed limit for the road was 60 mph.

The officer had been stood on a bend, managing traffic at the scene when he was hit by a passing car. He sustained life-threatening and life-changing injuries.

In June 2021, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) had sent all police forces across the UK a series of recommendation reports which provided relevant advice explaining how to implement road safety recommendations following an officer and staff safety review report.

However, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that West Mercia Police failed to do all that was reasonably practicable to manage the risks arising from or in connection with traffic collisions. The force’s risk assessments were not suitable and sufficient and it failed to provide adequate equipment for safely responding to this kind of incident.

The HSE found there was also a lack of suitable information, instruction and training for its officers. As a result, employees and members of the public were exposed to unnecessary risks.

The force was fined £85,800 and ordered to pay £9,402 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

HSE Inspector Keeley Eves said: “We recognise that police officers inevitably face significant and serious dangers as part of their normal work. The nature of policing is such that even where all reasonably practicable steps have been taken to minimise the risks, there may still be a significant risk to those engaged in such work.

“However, police officers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks while keeping the public safe. In this case, West Mercia Police failed to implement all reasonably practicable measures to minimise risks to its employees and members of the public in connection with road traffic collisions.

“Tragically, this resulted in a student police officer sustaining life changing injuries. After the incident, the force implemented significant changes, which included revisions to risk assessments, policies, procedures, equipment and training. These measures should have been in place prior to the incident.”

Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills said: “We accept the HSE findings and subsequent fine given to the force. 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.

“Our officer involved in this incident has shown immense determination and strength throughout his recovery. We continue to support him and are pleased that he continues to serve with West Mercia Police.”