Plans for Police firearms training range

Tuesday 26 May 2020

Plans for a purpose-built Police firearms range are being drawn up, after a report found the current Crabbé facility to be too dangerous for tactical training.

According to the report, which was compiled by a National Rifle Association Range Safety Advisor in 2018, there’s an increased risk of rounds escaping from the St. Mary complex.

While the NRA found basic and sniper training may be possible there, it did not deem Crabbé suitable for 180-degree judgmental shooting practices, including vehicle dismounting firing practices - a skill deemed key in police tactical training.

As no other suitable ranges are available in Jersey, all live firing of M4 and rifles has taken place off-island.

Pictured: The Crabbé complex is not currently deemed appropriate for tactical firearms training.

However, this comes at a significant cost outside of the States of Jersey Police’s usual budget.

To resolve the issue, a business case for a new purpose-built range at Crabbé is now being developed to be included in the 2021 Government Plan, which Ministers are expected to bring forward this summer. 

The plan emerged in a recently-published Ministerial Decision report, in which Treasury Minister Susie Pinel signed off on £110,000 for the Police to be able to train off-island this year.

Pictured: Training officers in tactical firearms use off-island this year will cost £110,000.

She was asked to approve the transfer of cash transfer from the Justice and Home Affairs Minor Capital Head of Expenditure on 16 April and gave it the green light a day later on 17 April.