Fears police suicide figures are the 'tip of the iceberg'

23 January 2026

North Wales Federation chair Trystan Bevan fears new figures highlighting the silent crisis of police suicide are ‘just the tip of the iceberg’.

Trystan has joined the growing calls for the mandatory recording of suicides and attempted suicides.

The data from the Police Federation for England and Wales (PFEW) showed that more than 100 police officers and staff died by suicide between 2022 and 2025.

At least 70 officers have died during that time with more than 200 attempted suicides.

However, Trystan and PFEW have warned the figure could be significantly higher because there is no legal requirement to record police suicides and attempted suicides.

He said: “The figures released by PFEW are deeply concerning and we need to do all we can to tackle this crisis.

“And what makes me even more concerned is the lack of mandatory recording across the country, because without this data we can’t properly understand the scale of it.

“These figures could be just the tip of the iceberg.”

Trystan said North Wales Police Federation was working closely with the Force on the recording of police suicides.

But he said the process, nationally, needed a more co-ordinated approach so that the data was ‘consistent and meaningful’.

Trystan said: “We are working closely with North Wales Police Chief Officer Team to try to put better systems in place, for which we’re grateful.

“However, this issue is too important to leave up to individual forces.

“The recording of suicides needs to be done in a consistent and meaningful way at local and national levels, and it needs to be a legal requirement on forces.

“We need accurate and reliable data to be able to properly understand the reasons for the current crisis, to identify trends, and to improve welfare for our members.”

PFEW said that because forces are not required to record suicide or attempted suicide, policing is not currently regarded by the Office for National Statistics as an ‘occupation at risk’.

It has set out a six-point plan to end the crisis:

• Recording and reporting all suicides and attempted suicides, backed by law.
• Limiting misconduct investigations to 12 months.
  Treating suicide as a work-related incident under Health and Safety legislation.
• National rollout of the STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) initiative, including mandatory TRiM support and the Stay Alive app.
• Reforming the coronial system to reflect policing-specific risk factors.
• Fully funding the Police Covenant to support officer welfare and wellbeing.

Tiff Lynch, PFEW chair, said: “This silent crisis has to end. Policing is a unique job carrying unique risks and officers know that the work they do will scar them mentally and physically.

“What they shouldn’t have to deal with is inadequate welfare support and a box-ticking approach to the duty of care forces have in their people.”

Meanwhile, Trystan encouraged members who are struggling to speak up and seek support.

He said: “Policing is a job like no other and for some, if can take a toll.

“Asking for help is not a weakness. Support is there. Please speak to your Fed reps, a trusted colleague, or a health professional

“No one should feel they have to cope alone.”

For urgent mental health help or immediate support, please contact:

Samaritans: 116 123

Oscar Kilo’s Mental Health Crisis Line: 0300 131 2789

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