Fed branch welcomes changes to injury compensation rules

27 October 2025

West Mercia Police Federation has welcomed changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) guidance, which will ensure officers injured in the line of duty are treated more fairly.

Under the old guidance, many officers were denied compensation because their injuries were not considered to be the result of a ‘crime of violence’ or were judged not to involve ‘exceptional risk’.

This meant officers were effectively excluded from claims despite the clear danger and harm involved in their work.

The rules have now been updated following collaborative work by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS).

The new guidance makes it clear that when an officer is injured by someone violently resisting arrest or restraint, decision-makers must properly consider whether that behaviour amounts to a crime of violence. This includes cases involving recklessness.

West Mercia Police Federation secretary Lesley Williams said the changes were ‘a much-needed step forward’ and better reflected ‘the realities of frontline policing’.

She said: “Our members are facing increasing levels of violence, with more than 30 officers on average assaulted every day in England and Wales.

“Too many have been injured protecting the public and then told they don’t qualify for compensation because of narrow and unrealistic guidance.

Crime of violence

“That has never made sense. Any assault or forcefully resisting an officer while they carry out their duties should be recognised as a crime of violence.”

The revisions follow extensive work by PFEW and NPWS. They presented compelling case evidence to the Ministry of Justice and Home Office to demonstrate how the previous system had unfairly excluded many officers from support.

Lesley added: “These updates are long overdue and most welcome.

“They represent a real success story on behalf of our members.”

Belinda Goodwin, PFEW National Board member, said: “This is an important win for our members and all emergency workers. Too often, officers injured protecting the public were told their injuries didn’t count under the rules. That was plainly unfair.

Compensation

"Thanks to our pressure and evidence, that wrong has been put right. The guidance finally recognises the real-world risks our members face every day and ensures they can access the compensation they deserve when things go wrong.”

Andy Rhodes, director of the NPWS, said: “This change reflects a shared understanding that our people face danger and trauma as part of their duty to protect others.

“The updated guidance rightly acknowledges that reality. I’m grateful to all who engaged constructively to make this happen: it’s a great example of collaboration in action for the good of those who serve.”

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