GETTING rid of police health and safety legislation will make our county’s officers “cannon fodder”, a union has claimed.

An amendment to the Police Reform and Social Bill is being debated in the House of Lords which could see sections of the Police Health and Safety Act 1997 scrapped.

Andy White, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, has called the proposals “a farce” saying they could put the lives of officers at risk.

Sir Paul Stephenson, Chief of the Metropolitan Police, also angered the professional policing body by saying officers should not be hindered by health and safety regulations.

Sir Paul spoke out after the inquest into the 7/7 bombings which heard health and safety rules were partly to blame for the failings of emergency services.

Mr White said: “It’s a farce.

“By putting the lives of police officers at risk it also puts the public at risk.

“I know from my contact with personal injury solicitors that claims for police officers in West Mercia alone have dropped since the introduction of health and safety laws and protocols.

“More injured officers means less officers on patrol.

“The continuous attack on police conditions of service remains in place and strives to attack the safety and welfare not only of the officers but the public too.”

Clive Griffiths, health and safety leader for West Mercia Police Federation, said every employee has a right to be protected by their employer.

He said: “Every day police officers are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public; it is an accepted part of the job, it’s what we do.

“A mercifully small number have paid the ultimate price.

“Unfortunately, we do know that there have been recent cases where emergency services have misinterpreted the law and have been over cautious as a result but that does not mean the law itself is at fault.

“Good employers recognise that health and safety makes sound business sense because it means protecting their investment. It is no different in the police.

“Chief constables make a considerable investment in training and equipping every officer and to lose any through serious injury represents a huge financial loss.

“In these times of austerity we need to protect our diminishing resources so they can continue to protect and serve the public.”