Executive summary
Derbyshire Police has been fined £60,000 (plus £9,470 costs) after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The prosecution arose from a riot training exercise involving petrol bombs in which four officers were injured, three sustaining serious burns.
The case underlines the need for robust planning, documented risk assessments, and fit for purpose PPE in high risk police training.
Why this matters (Key implications for forces)
- Training cannot compromise officer safety
realism is important, but foreseeable risks must be controlled - Forces must evidence their planning
risk assessments, PPE checks, and safe systems of work must be written, implemented and reviewable - PPE scrutiny is essential
forces must understand lifespan, maintenance, and testing requirements - HSE is willing to prosecute blue light organisations
policing is not exempt from standard employer duties - Long term officer impact increases liability exposure
physical and psychological injuries strengthen the public interest in prosecution
What happened (Case overview)
On 2 February 2021, officers undertook a riot training exercise involving the throwing of petrol bombs.
The drill went wrong, resulting in:
- 4 injured officers
- 3 suffering burns requiring hospital treatment
- Long lasting physical and psychological harm
Derbyshire Police entered a guilty plea on 19 January 2026, resulting in the fine and costs order.
HSE’s findings (Drivers of the prosecution)
The Health and Safety Executive found that the force failed to properly plan and risk assess the scenario. Key failings included:
PPE Failures
- No adequate information provided on the lifespan, care, or inspection of flame retardant PPE
- PPE was therefore not demonstrably fit for purpose
Risk Assessment Failures
- No suitable and sufficient risk assessment for producing and deploying petrol bombs
- Insufficient recognition of the foreseeable risks inherent in petrol based training
Systems of Work Failures
- No effective safe systems of work to manage the hazards of petrol reception training
HSE concluded that officers were exposed to “significant and avoidable risks.”
Lessons for forces (What to do differently)
- Document everything
planning, risk assessments, dynamic reviews, PPE checks and training protocols - Review PPE suitability regularly
including storage, expiry, maintenance and testing arrangements - Design safer training environments
realism must be balanced with demonstrable safeguards - Embed risk assessment discipline
ensure specialist oversight for high risk scenarios - Record control measures and why they are adequate
not just what they are
Bottom line
This prosecution reinforces that even high risk, realistic police training must be grounded in comprehensive planning, rigorous risk assessment, and properly maintained PPE. Forces that cannot demonstrate this will remain vulnerable to investigation and prosecution by HSE.
Weightmans’ specialist Health & Safety team can support forces with proactive risk management and post incident defence, including reviewing and strengthening training related risk assessments, advising on PPE responsibilities, and helping establish safe systems of work for high risk operational scenarios.