§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers have received firearms injuries while on duty in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [160805]
337W(2) how many police officers have received firearms injuries from a police firearm (a) while on duty and (b) in training in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [160806]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate collates statistics of notifiable offences recorded by the police, in which police officers on duty are injured by a firearm. The table records numbers of incidents in England and Wales since 1989. Data for 2000–01 are not yet available.
No distinction is made regarding how the firearm was used in causing the injury, who caused the injury, or whether it was incurred on duty or in training.
Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which a police officer on duty was injured by a firearm England and Wales Number of offences Fatal injury Serious injury1 Slight injury Total 1989 1 2 8 11 1990 1 2 2 5 1991 — 5 2 7 1992 21 3 6 10 1993 1 3 6 10 1994 — 12 9 21 1995 1 9 5 15 1996 — 4 5 9 1997 — 2 4 6 1997–98 — 3 3 6 1998–99 — — 11 11 1999–2000 — — 10 10 1A serious injury is one which necessitated detention in hospital or involved fractures, concussion, severe general shock, penetration by a bullet or multiple shot wounds. 2 Special constable. Police firearms officers undertake rigorous training and their use of firearms is governed by ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers) guidelines.