Force urged to respond if Covid cases continue to rise

7 July 2022

Recent spikes in Covid-19 cases are being monitored by Hertfordshire Police Federation amid growing fears of a new wave of infections.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell said the Force must do everything it could to ensure members were kept as safe as possible in the event of a new health crisis.

He said: “Our members have shown extraordinary courage and dedication since the start of the pandemic more than two years ago and that is not going to change now.

“But the impact on the physical and mental health of members was quite considerable in some cases and we are supporting officers who are suffering due to Long Covid. I want to make sure all the necessary steps are taken to ensure they are kept as safe as possible.

“Obviously our members can't just close the doors on their duties and they are aware that the job has always carried an element of risk but they must still be protected.

“I will make sure our members receive regular guidance and updates while the situation remains uncertain.”

Health experts warned the latest wave of infections was being driven by the newer variants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, which are more transmissible than other strains and are able to evade the immune protection built up by vaccines or previous infections.

The UK Health Security Agency said there was no evidence that BA.4 and BA.5 caused more serious illness than older variants of the virus.

But a rise in infections could lead to extra pressure on hospitals, more workforce absences and disruption across the UK and have an inevitable impact on policing.

Police Federation national chair Steve Hartshorn said the fresh wave was only adding to the feeling that policing was in the midst of a “Summer of Discontent” with members already struggling with the cost of living crisis and the ongoing row over pay and conditions.

Steve pointed to the obvious similarities with the notorious “Winter of Discontent” which saw widespread industrial action by public sector workers between November 1978 and February 1979 demanding pay rises above soaring inflation.

He said: “A week after 40,000 railway employees abstained from work over the Government’s apathy at addressing their concerns about pay and conditions, and other public sector staff associations calling out the Government’s failings over similar issues, the Office for National Statistics has pointed in the direction of yet another wave of Covid-19 infections.

“Our members are presently going through a ‘Summer of Discontent’. The cost of living is going through the roof, police officers’ pay and work conditions are abysmal and we are staring at another surge in Covid infections, which will have a cascading effect on our work commitments.

“It is a worrisome period. Police officers have endured a blanket pay freeze for two years and a 20 per cent real terms pay cut set against inflation since 2010.

“They continue to perform their duties to serve and protect the public, but they are not immune to financial pressures. Asking officers to risk their lives but at the same time, feed their families from food banks is simply not on.”

National deputy chair Tiff Lynch said police officers had not had the full support of the Government for far too long.

“We have all heard the warm words, but they have never been backed by firm action,” she said.

“Inflation is hitting a 40-year high and with pay freezes, and below-inflation rate wage rises, our members are fighting on several fronts, including rising Covid infections.

“It is ironic that our police service is respected across the world and yet our own Government seems to place so little value on it.

“Ministers repeatedly tell us that we are supported and that they have our backs. But words are cheap when officers see and receive nothing from them whilst they hold the line in this current crisis.”