Federation: "The stress and strain police officers are under is immense"

11 March 2025

Federation: "The stress and strain police officers are under is immense"

A new survey which reveals a quarter of Officers with 1-5 years’ service are contemplating leaving policing due to financial stress and workplace pressures comes as no surprise.

That's the view of Andy Spence, Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, who highlighted how pay increases over the last 15 years have not matched inflation.

"The stress and strain police officers are under is immense," said Andy. "It's shameful that police officers are having to use food banks and are having their rest days and annual leave cancelled."

More than 9,000 police officers left policing in England and Wales last year.

Andy added: "We are struggling to retain officers. They are paid poorly and the danger is increasing. 125 police officers are assaulted on average every day in England and Wales.

"What can be done to fix this? The Government needs to properly fund policing. The Government policing budget left it to forces to raise salary and not cover costs. So something else has to give."

The Police Finance Survey also revealed a third of officers with 1-5 years’ service are expecting their financial situation to worsen in the next year.

Among those who have been in the job for less than a year, nearly half already report significant financial concerns.

55% of Officers say financial stress is severely affecting their wellbeing. While 60% of families are initially supportive of their loved one's career, just 34% remain positive about the job after 1-5 years’ service.

62% of officers with 1-5 years’ service have considered halting contributions to their Police pension. 24% of Officers with 1-5 years’ service are contemplating leaving policing, citing financial stress and workplace pressures.