‘Policing crisis must be top priority for new Home Secretary’

28 September 2022

New Home Secretary Suella Braverman should address the crisis facing policing as her top priority, according to Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell.

Luke’s comments came after the Police Federation wrote to Ms Braverman calling for urgent talks on police pay and conditions.

In a letter congratulating Ms Braverman on her appointment, the Federation told her it was unacceptable that its members had suffered a 25 per cent real terms pay cut over the last 12 years.

The Federation has also written to Prime Minister Liz Truss highlighting the serious concerns over police pay and working conditions and pointing out that this year’s pay award, which came after the pay freeze of 2021, will barely cover soaring energy costs this winter.

Luke said: “I have been warning of the crisis facing policing since I took over as branch chair and hopefully we will see some positive steps being taken now a new administration is in place.

“Hertfordshire Police is struggling with officer recruitment and retention and that all comes down to low pay and poor working conditions so tackling this most important of issues should be very high up on the list of priorities for the new Home Secretary.

“Our members are being pulled from pillar to post as a result of the recruitment crisis and this is having an impact on their health and wellbeing.

“I accept there is no quick-fix solution but hopefully Ms Braverman will start as she means to go on and show us she is willing to take measures to redress the balance. She has the best wishes of Hertfordshire Police Federation as she begins her new role and we look forward to working with her in the future.”

Police Federation national chair Steve Hartshorn said it was vital that the broken-down relationship with the Government was repaired.

The Federation has also written to the Chancellor while the Home Secretary on Friday sent an open letter to police leaders.