Police chief calls for woman PC suing garage after tripping on a kerb to withdraw her claim

A police and crime commissioner today called for the police officer suing a garage when she tripped over a kerb to withdraw her claim.

Pc Kelly Jones, 33, claims she was injured at the petrol station at Thetford, Norfolk, as she responded to a 999 call for a suspected burglary.

Her lawyers accuse petrol station owner Steve Jones of failing to ensure she was “reasonably safe”, making no attempt to light the area or warn her about the step.

But Norfolk PCC Stephen Bett said the case had left him ‘cold’ and urged Pc Jones to do the right thing and drop it.

He said: “Police officers, like other members of the emergency services, accept that when they join up they may have to put themselves in danger in order to do their job.

“It is appalling to think that rather than putting the public first, there are some who see the possibilities of taking their own legal action to benefit financially.”

Pc Jones and Mr. Jones, 50, were checking the outside of the Nuns’ Bridges filling station when she allegedly fell and injured herself just after midnight last August.

A letter from her law firm Pattinson Brewer seven months after the incident claims she injured her left leg and right wrist and went to the West Suffolk Hospital.

Norfolk Chief Constable Phil Gormley has said he is “disappointed personally and professionally” by the claim.

He said: “Policing is a contact sport, as is life on occasions. You can’t eliminate all risk.”

But Steve Williams, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, defended the officer, saying it was important to remember police officers are not financially compensated for injury.

He said: “It is important that the public understand that police officers are not financially compensated by their own force for injuries received on duty and in fact can lose money through half pay and reduction in allowances.”

Garage owner Mr Jones said: “It’s absolutely essential we clarify the guidelines because this kind of case will put people off ringing the emergency services and indeed have implications for every single person who may ring up 999 and ask for assistance.

“I’m writing to the Home Secretary to ask her whether there are any guidelines, and if there aren’t any guidelines I think it’s important that we have them.”