Training distraction grenade found and activated by member of the public - West Midlands Police, March 2018

On 19 March 2018 a member of the public activated a one-bang training distraction grenade that was found in the rear of a lease car, causing a critical incident at a car showroom in Crewe. Distraction devices are used by police and the military to assist with room entries by creating a distraction with light and sound; this was a version used for training and had reduced noise and flash levels.

The lease car had been used by West Midlands Police for a firearms training course a month earlier. It had been recalled by the lease company and returned to them at the beginning of March. The car had then been sold on to a car concession. A member of staff there found the bang on the back seat of the car and, assuming it was a car part, took it into the office. A colleague started to dismantle it and pulled the pin, causing the device to go off. They suffered no serious long-term health issues as a result of the incident.

During the investigation, investigators obtained accounts from officers involved, and conducted a review of procedures and policies regarding the storage, transportation, use and recovery after use, of pyrotechnics and ammunition. They also obtained evidence relating to the processes for the movements of the device, as well as the vehicle in which it was misplaced.

There was insufficient evidence to attribute the act of placing the device on the back seat, or the failure to notice it there, to any individual.

We found evidence that officers followed the standard operating procedures (SOP) in respect of checking equipment in and out of the armoury during the training. The SOP has been amended during the course of this investigation, but the investigation highlighted a need for the force to further revise their SOP to include broader considerations around the storage, transportation and use of training materials, and recovery after use.

In our opinion, the officers involved in the use of the lease vehicle acted in accordance with policy and procedure at that time. They took reasonable steps to ensure that equipment was recovered from the vehicle prior to return to the lease company.

Based on the evidence available, we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

After reviewing our report, the force agreed with our findings. They will address two areas needing improvements to prevent a similar event recurring: effective auditing processes for ammunition, including used and non-used, and effective searching processes for returning vehicles to hire companies.