Norfolk police officer Kelly Jones drops kerb fall compensation claim Published duration 12 September 2013

image caption PC Kelly Jones has dropped her claim for compensation

A police officer in Norfolk who was seeking compensation from a garage after she tripped on a kerb has withdrawn her claim for injuries.

Kelly Jones was claiming payment from a petrol station in Thetford after she fell while investigating a break-in.

PC Jones had filed a compensation claim against Nuns' Bridges garage owner Steve Jones for failing to ensure she was "reasonably safe".

Mr Jones said: "It is welcome news. I am glad common sense has prevailed."

Norfolk's temporary chief constable Simon Bailey has said it is the "right decision".

PC Jones attended a suspected break-in at the site on 25 August last year.

Her solicitors said she tripped on a kerb and fell while walking towards a gap in the fencing in a poorly lit area, while trying to access the back of the premises.

The firm said PC Jones injured her left leg and right wrist and had to go to hospital.

She also took six weeks' sick leave from work.

'Hazardous situations'

Mr Bailey said: "Policing, by its nature, can put officers and staff in hazardous situations.

"The constabulary has a responsibility to seek to manage these risks, but nevertheless officers will at times be exposed to some risks in the interests of protecting the public.

"The constabulary has no direct influence over such litigation brought privately by a member of our staff, however, we do believe the right decision has now been made in this case to withdraw this particular claim."

'Lost' income

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said PC Jones had "withdrawn her civil claim for injuries sustained on duty".

The federation said in a statement: "Contrary to media reports at the time, PC Jones was not seeking a vast compensation payment, rather she was seeking monies that covered the income she had lost as a result of her injury.

"She will bear the financial loss with a hope that the wider concerns the public might have can be resolved by government and the police service for the future.

"All members are guaranteed a legal service provision by the federation when the criterion is met, and the PFEW will always do whatever we can to support officers injured on duty.