We call on the UK Government and Parliament to introduce legislation and review policing policy to better support frontline police officers, strengthen public safety and restore confidence in effective law enforcement.

 

Police officers should always remain accountable for unlawful or disproportionate actions. However, officers who act honestly, proportionately, in good faith and within their training should have greater legal protection and confidence that they will be supported when making difficult operational decisions made in the public interest.

 

We ask Parliament to consider the following reforms:

 

Introduce legislation that places clear legal responsibility on offenders who deliberately choose to flee from police. Where a suspect wilfully refuses to stop and initiates a pursuit, they should bear primary legal responsibility for the foreseeable consequences of their criminal actions, while preserving appropriate independent scrutiny of police conduct.
    Current legislation and operational scrutiny can leave officers facing lengthy investigations and significant uncertainty, even where they have acted lawfully, proportionately and within policy. This can create a culture of hesitation, discouraging officers from taking necessary action against dangerous offenders through fear of personal or professional repercussions.

    Similar approaches have already been adopted or proposed in other common law jurisdictions. In New South Wales, Australia, legislation commonly known as “Skye’s Law” introduced tougher penalties for offenders who deliberately evade police, recognising the significant danger their actions create. In Queensland, the Police Union has advocated for legislation placing greater criminal and civil responsibility on offenders whose decision to flee results in injury, death or damage, rather than disproportionately exposing officers acting lawfully in the execution of their duties. New Zealand has also reviewed pursuit policy to ensure it balances public safety with effective policing and does not inadvertently encourage offenders to flee.

    The United Kingdom should consider similar legislative reform by establishing a clearer legal principle that those who deliberately evade police cannot transfer responsibility for the risks created by their own criminal conduct onto officers attempting to protect the public. Police accountability should remain, but the law should more clearly recognise that it is the offender’s deliberate decision to flee that creates the dangerous circumstances leading to the pursuit.

Review legislation and national guidance governing police pursuits so that officers acting lawfully, proportionately and within their training receive greater protection from unfair criminal or disciplinary repercussions.
Permit appropriately trained officers to use low-speed tactical contact. Officers trained in Initial Phase Pursuit (IPP) tactics should be authorised to use low-speed tactical contact, where safe, necessary and proportionate, to stop illegally used motorcycles, stolen motorcycles, Sur-Rons and similar vehicles that present a danger to the public.

 

Equip all frontline police officers with Taser, subject to nationally approved training, accreditation and ongoing oversight, providing officers with an additional less-lethal option to protect themselves and the public.

 

Review frontline police uniform policy to provide forces with greater flexibility to adopt practical operational uniforms, including black TAC/MOLLE load-bearing vests as standard and baseball-style caps where operationally appropriate, while retaining high-visibility clothing where genuinely required for traffic management or specific safety purposes. PCSOs and officers carrying out dedicated high-visibility duties should continue to wear appropriate high-visibility clothing. Frontline officers should also be wearing a polo shirt style uniform top which brings a clean, professional look to officers. 

Promote proactive policing by ensuring officers have the confidence to deal robustly and lawfully with criminality, reinforcing that those who break the law face real and immediate consequences while maintaining the principles of fairness, professionalism and respect.

 

As a serving police officer, I witness first-hand the challenges faced by officers across the country. Every day, officers are expected to make split-second decisions in dangerous and unpredictable situations, often while knowing that even when acting within their training and in good faith they may still face prolonged investigation or disciplinary proceedings.

 

This uncertainty can reduce operational confidence and discourage proactive policing. Criminals are increasingly aware of the restrictions placed upon officers and, in some cases, deliberately exploit them, believing officers may hesitate through fear of legal or professional consequences. That ultimately undermines public confidence and weakens the ability of police to prevent crime and protect communities.

 

The police service exists to protect the public, uphold the law and bring offenders to justice. Officers should be empowered to carry out those responsibilities effectively while continuing to be held accountable whenever they act unlawfully or fall below the high professional standards rightly expected of them.

 

This petition is not about removing accountability. It is about restoring balance. It seeks to ensure that officers who act lawfully, proportionately and in good faith receive the protection and support necessary to perform their duties confidently, while ensuring offenders who deliberately choose to evade police and endanger the public are held fully responsible for the consequences of their own actions. The Police are drastically underfunded and under staffed, this alongside the current lack of backing, makes it an almost impossible task to effectively Police, as the public would want to see from its Police.

 

Effective policing depends upon officers who feel trusted, supported and confident in using the powers and tactics they have been trained to employ. A police service that is properly equipped, appropriately protected in law and supported when acting in the public interest is better placed to deter criminality, maintain public order and keep communities safe.

 

We therefore call upon Parliament to debate these proposals and consider legislative and policy reforms that protect those who protect the public, strengthen frontline policing and restore confidence in the ability of police officers to carry out the difficult responsibilities entrusted to them every day.