Cumbria Police Federation fears over police officer burnout as country unlocks on Monday

14 July 2021

“There is a potential however for officer burnout with very small windows to take leave and these restrictions lifting will no doubt increase public demand in policing.”

Paul Williams, Chairman of Cumbria Police Federation, has given his reaction to England lockdown rules coming to end on Monday (19 July).

Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen for the first time since March 2020 and capacity limits will be removed for all venues and events.

There will no longer be any limits on how many people can meet and the 1m-plus distancing rule will be removed.

Paul said: “The full lifting of restrictions after such a long time will no doubt have some anticipated impact on policing. There has been a huge amount to prepare for with up and coming events, increase in protest and an anticipated boom during the summer night time economy.

“Policing is a busy unpredictable job in normal times and what we have to remember in all of this is that COVID hasn’t gone away. It is still spreading and still causing harm to the population and sudden close social interaction will see increasing cases and pressure on NHS.”

Speaking at the Press Conference in Downing Street earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the public "don't tear the pants out of" the unlocking.

He added: "Don't be demob happy about this - this is not the end of Covid. It requires constant vigilance...you should not have a jubilee."

Paul concluded: “I am aware that Cumbria Police’s Chief officers have been preparing for some time with the approaching busy summer period which is reassuring. I think there is a potential however for officer burnout with very small windows to take leave and these restrictions lifting will no doubt increase public demand in policing.”