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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Norfolk police officer 'sues garage burglary victim' | Norfolk police officer 'sues garage burglary victim' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A police officer is suing a petrol station owner after apparently tripping on a kerb on his property when called to reports of a break-in. | A police officer is suing a petrol station owner after apparently tripping on a kerb on his property when called to reports of a break-in. |
| PC Kelly Jones, 33, claims she injured her leg and wrist at the filling station in Thetford, Norfolk, on 25 August last year. | |
| She was not available for comment. Petrol station owner Steve Jones said he found the case "shocking". | |
| Police said the claim appeared to be "instigated privately" by the officer. | |
| A letter to the business from solicitors Pattinson Brewer states PC Jones went to the Nunns Bridges garage, where there was "inadequate lighting", at 00:20 BST. | |
| 'Unaware of step' | |
| It reads: "As she proceeded around to the jet wash area, located on the right hand side of the filling station, she moved toward a gap in the fencing in order to access the rear of the premises. | |
| "Unknown to our client, there was a section of high kerbing. | |
| "There was very little to draw this raised section to our client's notice an as our client proceeded towards the gap, she was unaware of this step up. | |
| "As such she was caused to trip and fall, thereby sustaining personal injury." | |
| PC Jones injured her left leg and right wrist and went to the West Suffolk Hospital, the letter added. | |
| The claim alleges the petrol station is at fault for failing to ensure PC Jones was "reasonably safe", making no attempt to light the area or warn her about the step. | |
| The letter also alleges the business failed to display any warning signs or carry out a risk assessment and therefore "exposed our client to an unnecessary risk of injury". | |
| 'Not common' | |
| Paul Ridgway, chairman of the Norfolk Police Federation, said it had been made aware of the incident soon after it happened. | |
| He said regardless of the federation's view on any member's claim, a claim is forwarded to a solicitor to see whether there is any merit in it. | He said regardless of the federation's view on any member's claim, a claim is forwarded to a solicitor to see whether there is any merit in it. |
| He added: "All members of the public, regardless of what profession, can claim litigation against people and against private firms - that's why everyone has insurance. | He added: "All members of the public, regardless of what profession, can claim litigation against people and against private firms - that's why everyone has insurance. |
| "It's not common, I appreciate that, but the claim has come in and we've honoured the officer's wishes by putting it through to the solicitor." | "It's not common, I appreciate that, but the claim has come in and we've honoured the officer's wishes by putting it through to the solicitor." |
| Norfolk Police said it had been unaware of the claim, adding: "We have a duty of care to any officer injured whilst on duty, to support their continued health and well-being and fitness to return to work. | |
| "Officers can, in addition, receive further support from their staff association, as well as pursuing private treatment." |