Leicestershire Police Federation Marks Response Policing Week

24 April 2026

As part of Response Policing Week, Leicestershire Police Federation Secretary Joe Lloyd joined a response team in the force to see first-hand the pressures they face.

He met the response officers at Keyham Lane Police Station, on the outskirts of Leicester, and said: “They are under constant pressure to attend incidents, deal with an ever-increasing crime queue, and remain on duty for protracted periods of time. Response officers have their duties changed at short notice, and have their shifts extended regularly.”

Joe arrived at the station at 7.30am, and recalled: “I was struck immediately by the noise. Response officers are busy organising their kit ready to leave the station to deal with suspects in custody, missing people, and a large-scale incident.” 

He continued: “Due to the incident, overnight officers are needed for scene guards, which means there won't be an opportunity to investigate crimes on their already busy 'queues'. They will make contact with victims and witnesses throughout the day and rearrange appointments. 

“The team has only been on duty for half an hour, and they have a long day ahead of them. Many will not finish on time, and I note that some officers from the night shift still haven't finished their tour of duty. 

“This is not unusual – this is the norm for many response officers. I am in awe of how they get on with it; I don't hear any moaning, just an acceptance that they may miss an important event later this evening.”

Joe said these hard-working officers should be secure in the knowledge that if they have to work into their rest days, they will be compensated correctly by the force. But the recent National Police Chiefs’ Council submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body proposes to remove that safeguard, and Joe warned that officers’ compensation for working into rest days may be eroded. He said: “This, in my view, is simply not acceptable.”

Joe said he was highly impressed by the stamina and commitment of Leicestershire’s response officers, adding: “Response policing is the backbone of policing, and I am grateful for their expertise. This week is Response Policing Week but, in reality, our frontline officers should be recognised every week.”