Avon and Somerset Police Federation

20/10/2025

Police officers who are injured in the line of duty will now get fairer treatment when it comes to compensation, new guidance has said.

It follows successful work by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) to force changes to Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) guidance.

In the previous guidance, many police officers were effectively excluded from compensation claims despite the clear danger involved in their work, as many injuries sustained while detaining or restraining violent offenders were not recognised as resulting from a “crime of violence,” nor as involving “exceptional risk”.

The updated rules now make clear that when an emergency worker is injured by someone violently resisting arrest or restraint, decision-makers must fully consider whether the offender’s actions amount to a crime of violence — including cases involving recklessness.

This clearer interpretation gives officers injured through violent or reckless behaviour a stronger and fairer basis for claiming compensation.

More here https://www.polfed.org/news/latest-news/2025/fairer-treatment-secured-for-injured-officers-after-change-in-compensation-guidance/

16/10/2025

PFEW presses Government to urgently implement Accountability Review recommendations so legal safeguards and reformed processes to speed up investigations can be introduced.

https://www.polfed.org/news-events/latest-news/2025/misconduct-case-against-firearms-officer-w80-dismissed/

16/10/2025

15/10/2025

The reality of policing: officers are 21% worse off in real terms than they were in 2010. Meanwhile 32 officers are violently assaulted every day and mental health crises are soaring.

www.polfed.org/campaigns/copped-enough

13/10/2025

Reviewing evidence in a Post-Incident Procedure must be a fair and impartial process, particularly if an officer’s memory of an incident differs from body-worn video, Avon and Somerset Police Federation has said.

Secretary Marc Flavell was speaking following the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) Seminar. The annual seminar aims to keep Federation PIP practitioners up to date with legislation and regulations so that they can best support their members.

PIPs are carried out in all situations following police contact that have resulted in death or serious injury; revealed failings in command; or caused danger to officers or the public.

Many Federation Reps have been trained to the same level as a Post-Incident Manager (PIM) and can support officers through the PIP process. Effective PIPs mean officers are more likely to be able to keep working in the job they love.

This year’s PIP Seminar focused on how body-worn video may not always reflect what officers saw and experienced during a split-second incident, and how PIP investigators should understand that this is normal and has scientific explanations.

Marc said: “The session about officer recall was particularly interesting. Officers are human and there has been a lot of scientific study about how the brain processes and recalls traumatic information.

“We must ensure that processes are in place to ensure that the entire PIP process is fair and impartial throughout.

“The review of digital evidence such as body-worn video needs to be held in a fair way without speculation or assumptions being made if it differs from an officer’s recall of the incident.

“The demands of policing put officers under pressure that most people will never experience, particularly in incidents that lead to a PIP process.

“These most serious of incidents have an immeasurable effect on the officers, and their families and friends.”

If officers are involved in a PIP, they should consider the following:
● You may be treated as a suspect or a witness. This is a very fine line. It is in your interest that if you are being treated as a suspect you should say nothing until legal advice has been obtained. You have legal rights under the PACE Act 1984 and these should not be compromised.
● If, however, you are being treated as a witness, remember all conversations are disclosable.
● Ask the PIM to contact the Police Federation, which can arrange legal advice and other support including contact with relatives, refreshments and so on.
● Initial notes should only be made subject to medical and legal advice.
● The Manual of Guidance recognises that statements should only be made after officers have overcome any initial shock of the incident. Be guided as to when you are ready by medical advice, a solicitor or the Federation.

10/10/2025

Incredible night at the Avon and Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards last night.

Congratulations to all of our worthy winners.

The lead sponsor for the Awards was Axon.

Also sponsoring were Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages

09/10/2025

A group of welfare coordinators who work tirelessly to ensure officers are being supported when they are under investigation have received the Team of the Year Award at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

The six officers and staff members volunteered to do the work on top of their day jobs, taking on large workloads to support officers who are navigating the gross misconduct process.

Officers under investigation are often dealing with extreme stress as they go through the worst times in their career.

The welfare coordinators team – police staff members Irene Farnsworth and Andy Gwyther, Det Sgt Phil Osbourne, Det Sgt Mandy Claridge, Sgt Kate Maun, and Sgt Paul Giddings – was originally set up by Irene to support the 142 trained welfare officers in the force - which will rise to 189 by the end of this year.

As well as taking on welfare officer work themselves, they also provide training.

Det Sgt Osbourne said: “You can never overestimate what cops are going through. Many, like me, wanted to be a police officer from knee height, so if you get served gross misconduct papers, your whole world comes down around you. You could be losing your job, your relationship, your house.

“It's about seeing the humanity in people. Even if somebody has done something wrong, it's about being there to support them. It was a tricky one for me to switch my investigative brain off to begin with, but it's a really rewarding role.”

He continued: “We arrange training twice a year for welfare officers, and we have regular drop-ins so we can support the supporters. Some of our welfare officers are quite inexperienced or young, and some are carrying around some quite harrowing information. We also pushed for welfare managers, and we’ve now got a Chief Inspector overseeing it, so there’s somebody to turn to when it’s a slightly more problematic case.

“And most of us coordinators, we've also got two or three officers under investigation who we’re supporting too.”

Irene said: “I want the force to be more responsible for the support of the people that they're putting under investigation. As soon as a welfare officer is appointed, they think that's the end of their involvement. It's not.”

She said she was motivated by the high numbers of officers who take their own lives when under investigation, saying: “If I could just stop one person from doing that, it’s worth it.” She is also keen to push for more support of officers who do lose their jobs, dealing with outside agencies and charities to give them more help.

Det Sgt Claridge said: “When I first heard about the welfare coordinator programme, I put my name forward because I had friends who had been under investigation and I saw the devastating impact that it has on people, and the lack of support that was out there.

“It’s about being that listening ear, where someone can sound off at you without fear that they’re going to be judged or get into more trouble. Because when you're in that position, you trust no one. Also, I always ask, ‘What support is your family getting?’, and I will give them support networks for their family, because it can be really difficult for them too.”

Sgt Maun said: “I’ve been an officer for over 22 years, and welfare has always been my main focus when dealing with my team. I felt quite passionate about being able to support colleagues, so when the opportunity came to join the team I took it on.

“You’ve got to give colleagues support, because over the past decade or so the support we used to get from the public is not there like it used to be. So we need to have it internally, and that's the whole point of the welfare officer. We're independent from any other process. When someone’s going through their worst times, they can at least talk to someone – it’s like halfway between being a counsellor and being a police officer.”

When Andy Gwyther heard the team had won a Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Award, he said: “I’m over the moon for our work to be recognised. Not everyone knows what we do and this will raise our profile, which is great.”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “This super team is passionate about doing their very best for officers during the toughest of times, and holding the force to account on welfare. They are hard-working, diligent, and motivated by seeing the worst that can happen to our colleagues.”

Irene Farnsworth, Andy Gwyther, DS Phil Osbourne, DS Mandy Claridge, Sgt Kate Maun, and Sgt Giddings will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony tonight (9 October).

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.

08/10/2025

Two officers who entered a deep lake in freezing conditions to try to rescue a child have received Bravery Awards at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

In November 2024, police received a 999 call from a child who said that their nine-year-old friend had fallen into a lake near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. Sgt Joe Pitman and his colleague, who does not wish to be named, went to the scene and spoke to the child.

Sgt Pitman recalled: “The girl seemed quite distressed, and was saying: ‘My friend’s fallen’. She indicated a rough area of the lake, which is a deep former clay pit – the water is quite murky.

“We visually scanned the lake for any obvious signs of the child, but there wasn’t any splashing. I looked at my colleague and said: ‘We're going to have to go in’, because if there was a child in that lake, they were under the water. So we took off our body armour and boots and got in the water.

“My colleague is a much better cold water swimmer than I am, I'll give him that. The temperature got to me straight away. It was horrendous, really freezing cold.

"Other emergency services arrived on the scene with more specialised equipment to do an underwater search. Then, after 19 minutes or so, the little girl said that her story wasn’t true and there wasn’t a child in the water.”

The child – and their family – were spoken to by officers to “educate to prevent a repeat occurrence”.

When he heard they’d won a Bravery Award, Sgt Pitman said: “It's nice to be recognised. I'd like to think that any officer in that situation would have done the same thing, ultimately. As a father myself, it's a parent's worst nightmare. If we hadn't gone into the water that day, we wouldn't have been doing our duty effectively.”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “With the cold temperature and wintry conditions that day, the officers felt like they had no choice but to enter the water immediately in order to save a life. That it turned out to be a hoax does not change the bravery and resilience the officers showed that day.”

Sgt Pitman and his colleague will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony tomorrow (9 October).

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.

07/10/2025

A highly experienced PC who often takes on extra responsibility and loves advising younger officers has received the Inspiration Award at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

PC Louisa Williams has worked for Avon & Somerset Police for 30 years and has no intention of retiring yet. For the past five years, she has been in core CID, where her experience, tenacity and attention to detail inspires the younger PCs and detectives in the department.

Recently, PC Williams volunteered at short notice to be disclosure officer for a very complex investigation, meaning many of her rest days were cancelled so she could complete the work in the short timeframe set by the Crown Prosecution Office (CPS).

The CPS then nominated her for an award, recognising her instrumental role in the investigation. PC Williams said: “That was a real milestone in my career; it was a huge honour.”

One of PC Williams’ colleagues said: “Louisa is a credit to the force and the wider policing family. She is a single mum, but has managed to be present for her daughter and balance work and home life, resulting in a successful and fulfilling career.

“She is quietly and modestly determined, and loves her role. She is so inspirational that the team often go to her before their sergeants; she is always willing to help and give up her time to teach others and impart her knowledge. She is a true pleasure to work with.”

PC Williams said: “I wanted to be a police officer from the age of nine – I grew up watching TV shows like ‘Cagney & Lacey’ and ‘Juliet Bravo’. I’m driven by investigating crimes, looking after victims and especially supporting victims through court cases – they go through horrendous things.”

She said she was surprised to win the Federation Award: “I thought there must be other worthy winners of this award. But it’s a huge honour to be recognised and lovely that someone has noticed my work. I encourage all the other PCs out there to keep going!”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “What a literal inspiration Louisa is! She continues to be tenacious and dedicated in her work and supportive of her colleagues – she clearly hasn’t lost her passion for policing. We are very lucky to have her in the force.”

PC Williams will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony on 9 October.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.

06/10/2025

A Federation Rep who quietly gets on with supporting his colleagues - with a ‘call anytime’ policy - has been named Federation Rep of the Year at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

DC Joe Sanderson was nominated by a colleague who said: “Joe is passionate about supporting officers, often giving up his own time and showing flexibility to do this. He never seeks the limelight, but is always someone that we can all rely on.”

Joe joined Avon & Somerset Police in 2009, working on a response team and as a neighbourhood beat manager before moving to CID. He currently works for Operation Bluestone, investigating r**e and sexual assaults.

He became a Federation Rep seven years ago, motivated by wanting to support officers when they were being investigated for misconduct, and feeling that the process could sometimes be unfair.

Joe said: “Conduct is the only work I’ve done within the Federation – when a cop’s in trouble, I want to help them through that process, irrespective of whether or not they’ve done it.”

He said he often tells people they can contact him day or night and he will try to help: “I’m a constant bit of support that isn’t a changing manager or a changing Occupational Health nurse. I don’t say: ‘I’m on duty and then I’m not on duty’.”

Joe said he was surprised to win an Award. “I try to stay away from the limelight. I don’t do things publicly, and the things that I’m proudest of, I can’t talk about much because they relate to cops having a horrible time. So this award was a nice surprise. It’s something I enjoy doing and it’s nice to know that other people are pleased with what I do.”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “The support Police Federation Representatives provide their colleagues – often over and above their working day is inspiring and much appreciated by officers.

“Joe is a humble hero and does so much to support his colleagues through some of their toughest times and we are delighted to present him this award.”

Joe will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony on 9 October.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.

03/10/2025

A detective who always pushes to get the best result for victims and the public has been named Detective of the Year at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

DC Hamish Wyatt has been praised for managing a high workload of complex investigations, stepping up to help his colleagues, and going above and beyond to secure justice.

Following the summer 2024 disorder in Bristol, DC Wyatt volunteered to work on the investigation to bring those who were involved in criminality to justice.

He became Officer in Charge (OIC) for a large number of prosecutions, all while managing his existing workload. This extra responsibility meant him having to cancel his leave at short notice due to unscheduled court hearings and trials. But throughout this sustained period, he remained calm and positive.

DC Wyatt has become one of the go-to people to manage complex serious crimes. One recent case was an unprovoked and sustained knife attack on a 18-year-old in Bath, where the victim was stabbed numerous times.

DC Wyatt was appointed OIC from the outset and worked tirelessly, leading others to build a strong case and helping to secure a charge for attempted murder. The suspect pleaded guilty to Section 18, however DC Wyatt’s determination to get the best result for the victim and the public meant he continued to build the case to prove attempted murder.

This led to the suspect being found guilty of attempted murder and being sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison.

In a further example, earlier this year a man died following a suspected robbery. It was a difficult investigation due to the fact there were no witnesses, no CCTV, no forensics and no obvious cause of death. Despite this, DC Wyatt identified and completed time-critical actions, to allow the investigation to continue if causation was established.

DC Wyatt said: “I always make sure I give the court as much evidence I can, to help victims get the justice they deserve. When you're so busy it's easy to settle for something less, but so much that happens in court is outside our control, so I make sure I do everything that is within my control.

“What I like about the job is that I’m given the autonomy and trust to go out and get the job done, and when I’ve made those decisions my team’s there, ready to help me go and gather what I want. Having a good team around me definitely makes a difference.”

When DC Wyatt heard he had won an Award, he said: “It means a lot to be nominated by my Inspector, who I work with day in and day out. It makes me think: ‘Oh, actually, what I'm doing does get noticed’.”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “What a dedicated and brilliant colleague Hamish is – his attitude and commitment to what is very difficult work is exemplary.

“Hamish is highly motivated, approaches his work with enthusiasm and gets great results – he is an outstanding role model for others and very worthy of this Award.”

DC Wyatt will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony on 9 October.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.

02/10/2025

Five officers who entered a burning block of flats to courageously rescue the residents have received Bravery Awards at the 2025 Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

In October 2024, Avon and Somerset Police received a 999 call from a woman stating that a man she knew was outside her property on the street with a knife. It was established that the caller was a domestic abuse victim and the man was the perpetrator.

T/Sgt Andy Goldsmith, PC Mike Ward, PC Tom Sage, PC Sven Daniels and PC Chloe Griffin arrived at the scene, but could not find the man.

T/Sgt Goldsmith recalled: “As we were approaching the address, I remember I could smell fire. I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a bit odd’. I didn’t think anything of it initially, but as we got closer to the address it was clear that the kitchen was on fire.”

PC Sage said: “Your mind just flips between ‘man with a knife’ to ‘now we need to save people from a fire’. I guess it is adrenaline and experience.”

The officers didn’t know if anyone was inside, so they forced entry to the block of flats, where the fire was spreading. They found the woman caller inside the smoke-filled house – she was disorientated and confused and reluctant to leave, forcing T/Sgt Goldsmith, PC Sage and PC Daniels to drag her out of the property.

Meanwhile PC Griffin headed upstairs to see if anyone else was in the flat. She said: “It was an instant reaction. Even if I wasn't a police officer, I think I would have done it as a member of the public, just jump in and help. When I told my friends about it afterwards, they were in shock, but for me it was just another day.”

There was clear evidence that children were living at the address, so the officers searched the whole property, even though it was by now filled with smoke and there was minimal visibility. Thankfully, no children were present.

After establishing the property was empty, T/Sgt Goldsmith, PC Ward, PC Sage, PC Daniels and PC Griffin started waking up neighbours and evacuating them from their homes. This was challenging as it was the early hours of the morning and some of the residents were reluctant to leave until the officers explained the danger they were in.

PC Sage recalled: “There was an elderly woman who was quite disabled. We had to try to get her and her son out, and she was quite protective over her property, which was difficult. And in the flat on the other side, there was a young woman with a newborn baby. She was distraught.”

The officers remained outside with the initial caller and the displaced neighbours, offering assistance and reassurance, despite suffering the effects of smoke inhalation. The fire brigade and ambulance service then arrived to assist; by this time the fire had spread to the roof of the property. Paramedics provided medical treatment to all five officers, as they had inhaled a significant amount of smoke – it was later discovered that the property contained asbestos.

The matter remains under investigation.

When he heard the team had been nominated for a Bravery Award, PC Ward said: “I was quite surprised, but it's nice to be recognised, because we do put a lot of work in.”

PC Daniels said: “What with social media and what the public put out there, the police are often looked on quite negatively. So I was touched to get this recognition, because it’s rare.”

Avon & Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: “Police officers do much more than fight crime and these incredible colleagues showed significant bravery by running into a house fire.

“They pushed through smoke and flames without hesitation to save lives. What amazing work – and then they later offered support and reassurance to members of the public in this traumatic incident.”

T/Sgt Andy Goldsmith, PC Mike Ward, PC Tom Sage, PC Sven Daniels and PC Chloe Griffin will attend the Avon & Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards ceremony on 9 October.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is Axon.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, Gallagher, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Iain Prideaux, Accord, The Bath Tour Guide Adge Secker, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Pointers Financial, Bluline Healthcare Scheme, Tony Henley Psychotherapy and Police Mortgages.