Tory policing health and safety vow

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In his keynote speech to the party's conference at Birmingham, shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve will pledge to change the "dangerous" rules which "undermine public confidence".

A recent case saw police officers radio for help instead of trying to save a drowning boy because they were not trained in water rescue.

In another case, a woman shot and seriously hurt was left waiting for help as police stood outside because of health and safety fears.

The proposed changes would prevent another police force facing a Jean Charles de Menezes-style prosecution under health and safety laws.

Sources said the legislation was being misused and could lead to "defensive policing" in high pressure situations.

Mr Grieve will tell the conference: "Health and safety legislation is holding police officers back (and) making them more risk-averse."

"We now have a health and safety regime which is so stifling ... that it delayed armed officers attending the victims of a shooting for an hour after the gunman had fled but prosecuted them for mistakes made during the heat of a counter-terrorism operation."

The changes would ensure commanders could put the safety of the public above the safety of their officers.

Mr Grieve will also announce plans to stop so-called "have-a-go heroes" being arrested.