Police put forward plans for Crabbé firearms training range

Tuesday 19 October 2021

Jersey Police have put forward a planning application to build a 50-metre firearms range at Crabbé, so officers no longer need to travel away from the island to get qualifications.

In documents submitted as part of the application for the National Police Training-compliant range, designers DRP Architectural explain that officers having to travel for training leaves "the island with a reduced number of armed officers during this time, which is not a preferred option.”

The application explains that Jersey already has a set of outdoor shooting ranges at Crabbé, which is where the police currently conduct their training, but that the facilities do not meet national standards, and are not owned by the Police.

Pictured: The new shooting range has been created so police can become qualified Authorised Firearms Officers.

It adds that current ranges "were designed and built using the measurement yards and not metres", and that the current existing 50-yard range poses various issues:

• 50 yards is only the equivalent of 45m to 46m, and a 50m length is required;
• inability to fire the correct calibre of weapon;
• no canopy over the bullet trap, therefore 'pop-over' could occur;
• the range does not have the ability for vehicles to be on site;
• the range can only be used by Police when members of the club or other users do not require the facility;
• only firing from the standing position is allowed;
• the 600-yard range cannot be used at the same time.

Similarly, the 25-yard range and 600-yard gallery range also pose safety issues - in particular, it was noted that, as there are no side walls and embankments at the correct height, "high ground ricochet and side shots could leave" the 600-yard gallery.

It was noted that "firing would/should have to stop if the public" were to use the adjacent walking paths, as well as ships or persons at sea within the range's safety zone.

To address these issues, the new range will be 50m, and located within a large natural earth/grass embankment.

Pictured: Police currently have to travel off-island to achieve their firearms qualifications.

Home Affairs Minister Gregory Guida commented: “In order for our police force to be able to best protect islanders, we must ensure they have access to the most suitable and highest quality of training resources. I am fully supportive of this application for a new States of Jersey Police range at Crabbé. 

“The range will also promote Jersey’s sporting interests by providing excellent facilities to the benefit of the wider shooting community, tourists and international competitors, as well as the Ministry of Defence by being able to train on the range which will meet their standards.”

The Police's Chief Firearms Instructor, Sergeant Chris Thomas, added: “We very much welcome the proposals and plans to develop a new firearms range on the Island. 

“We know that the best way to learn is through practical scenarios in conditions we would genuinely face; to have that resource available to us means we are in the best position we can be to carry out our duties and protect islanders.”

The application will be decided on by the Planning Committee at a future meeting.