On-Island Firearms Range Enhances Police Training Standards

A state-of-the-art police firearms training centre has officially opened in Jersey, providing officers with the ability to train and qualify locally to nationally recognised standards.

Located at Crabbe, the Firearms Range and Tactical Training Centre has been funded through assets seized from criminals. The facility has been designed to meet the requirements of the UK College of Policing firearms curriculum, recognised as best practice for police training.

 “skills house”

Until now, Jersey’s officers were required to travel to the UK for firearms instruction. The new site removes the need for costly and disruptive off-island trips, ensuring that training can take place more regularly and with less logistical impact.

In addition to a live-fire range, the complex includes a purpose-built “skills house,” which provides a safe and realistic environment for tactical exercises. The centre is intended to be shared with the wider shooting community and could also be made available to overseas police forces in the future.

The new facility comes against the backdrop of 175 deployments of armed officers in Jersey over the past five years. None of those incidents required the discharge of a weapon, but police stress the importance of maintaining operational readiness for any potential threat.

Senior officers have emphasised that while the Island remains a safe place, the ability to train to the highest standard is essential. The centre is being described as a major step forward in ensuring local officers are prepared to respond effectively whenever required.