Recommendations - Thames Valley Police, May 2025

The IOPC recommends that Thames Valley Police (TVP) should ensure method of entry equipment is available and easily accessible to police officers, so that whenever it may be required, entry can be gained to a property without undue delay.

This recommendation has arisen as a result of an independent investigation into a death (DSI).

TVP officers attended a concern for welfare incident during which it became clear that force may be required to gain entry to a room within shared accommodation.

Whilst the officers identified a need to gain entry, no method of entry equipment was present within a police vehicle already at the location as not all force vehicles routinely carry this equipment. This led to a delay of approximately nine minutes, whilst officers at the location waited for additional officers with method of entry equipment to gain access to the room, and ambulance service staff could begin providing medical assistance. Easy access to specialist equipment is important in supporting officers when they have identified a potential risk to life.

The IOPC recommends that Thames Valley Police (TVP) takes steps to ensure that frontline officers understand, and are confident in applying, guidance on method of entry. As part of this, the force should make clear the expectations on officers who need to force entry in an emergency situation, where they are not trained in method of entry and do not have access to method of entry equipment.

This recommendation has arisen as a result of an independent investigation into a death.

Officers at the scene of a concern for welfare engaged with a man in a locked room who was too unwell to be able to open the door for them. The officers decided to force entry as the man was only making occasional groaning sounds and searched their vehicles for method of entry equipment to assist them. No equipment was present, as not all TVP vehicles carried tools for method of entry, and the officers requested an additional unit carrying the equipment attended the location. Waiting for the additional unit led to a delay of approximately nine minutes before entry was gained and the man stated to receive medical attention.

At the time, TVP had both a policy and operational guidance covering the issue. The policy outlined a preference that forcing entry to property should be performed by officers trained in method of entry and using suitable specialist equipment.

The operational guidance, however, informed officers that in urgent circumstances an untrained officer should use whatever tools or items were available to effectively force entry to a property in order to save life and limb.

The officers at the location do not appear to have been aware of the operational guidance or considered whether entry could have been gained without waiting for specialist equipment. TVP has already taken steps to clarify expectations by withdrawing their policy and prioritising the operational guidance.