Investigation into a man’s serious injury sustained whilst being detained by police – Essex Police, April 2023

In April 2023, Essex Police responded to a report that a man had attended a garage in Grays, poured petrol on the ground and threatened to set it alight. The man had then fled the scene. Approximately three hours later, the man’s car was picked up on ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and multiple police cars were sent to the location. After the driver failed to stop for police, an authorised pursuit commenced which ended when officers made tactical contact with the car. 

Two officers smashed the driver’s window and attempted to take hold of the man at the same time as the man splashed liquid from a fuel canister over himself and the officers. Immediately after this, a third officer deployed a Taser which caused a spark and subsequently a fire. Following his arrest, the man and two injured officers were transported to hospital for further medical attention. The man suffered serious, non-fatal burns. 

During the investigation, we obtained and analysed witness statements from police officers and members of the public present during the incident. We reviewed officers’ body-worn video footage and use of force forms, airwave transmissions, incident reports and relevant local and national policies and procedures. The discharged Taser was downloaded, and the results were reviewed alongside a report obtained from a Taser expert analysing the police use of Taser in the circumstances. 

Our investigation concluded in October 2023.

The investigation concluded there was no indication that any police officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings or may have committed a criminal offence.

We carefully considered whether there were any organisational learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system, and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 

In this case, the investigation has not identified any learning.