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PHW · Other · 2026-01-19

Derbyshire Constabulary fined £60,000 after officers were burned during a riot training exercise

Ripley, Derbyshire · Sheffield Magistrates Court

What happened

Four officers suffered burns during a riot training exercise in which officers wearing flame-retardant PPE were required to face petrol bombs thrown by colleagues in a simulated public disorder drill. Three of the injured required hospital treatment.

Injuries: burns, some requiring hospital treatment and leaving permanent scarring

The breach

HSWA 1974 s2(1)

The sentence

  • Fine: £60,000
  • Costs: £9,470
HSE inspector

“High-risk training activities must be planned and controlled with the same care and professionalism expected in any other workplace.”

What would have prevented it

High-risk live-exercise training must be planned and controlled with documented risk assessment and control measures equivalent to any other workplace activity.

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Source: HSE press release, Derbyshire police prosecuted for failing to protect officers