Food bank launched to help struggling members

7 December 2022

City of London Police Federation has launched a food bank to help any members who are struggling financially.

The food bank will provide cupboard staples – such as pasta, rice, beans and teabags – on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-11am. It is based at the Federation offices in Bishopsgate and no appointment is needed.

Federation Chair Mike Reed stressed that it was completely anonymous.

“We can’t see who’s coming in and who’s going out, so please come and pick things up if you need them," he explained. “Our workplace reps have said that our members are struggling, there are officers in the force who are finding it hard to afford things every month.

“The idea is that we can assist those who need an extra bit of help to make sure their cupboards are full. That way they can come to work with a full belly and a little bit less on their mind, so they can do their roles to the best of their ability.”

He continued: “I didn’t think it would get to this point. I would say to people who are worrying about putting food on the table, please take advantage of this offer sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until the point when it’s really urgent. Mortgages and energy bills have gone up, nobody’s judging you.

“There is financial and planning advice available to you if you do want it; we’ll put leaflets out and we can support you if you need us to.”

The Government needs to pay police officers more if they are going to be able to cover their bills, Mike stressed.

He said: “Our message to the Government is that police officers need more pay, in London especially. The London Allowance came in in the 1990s and it’s only been increased marginally since then. Its far behind where it should be.

“Cops’ wages have dropped dramatically in real terms and, with the cost-of-living crisis, it’s a perfect storm. Cops won’t be able to feed their families, and that comes with risks around corruption, risks around people not coming to work, risks for people who are doing critical safety roles. If officers haven’t got food in them, they’re not well rested and they’re worried, it impacts the public as well. It impacts everybody.”

New recruits were taking home so little, Mike many couldn’t even afford to eat in a police canteen.

He said: “We know that all the public services are suffering, but the police have been left out of Government budgets yet again. We don’t have the ability to go on strike, we’re always the poor relative within the public sector, and it’s starting to show now.”