Federation: Surrey Police officers are facing financial struggles

12 March 2025

Surrey Police officers are facing financial struggles, the Federation has said, after a new survey found that 64% of officers nationally had financial concerns.

Darren Pemble, Chair of Surrey Police Federation, said the picture was bleak for officers in his force, where the cost of living was particularly high.

He said: “Our officers are struggling to afford to live in Surrey and the surrounding areas, as the South East is just so expensive. The South East Allowance needs to be reviewed upward, as this has not increased with inflation.

“How are officers going to afford to buy or rent a home in Surrey? House prices are ridiculous, and surely we want officers living where they work. Yet police officers are likely to receive another lower-than-inflation pay deal this year.”

In Metfriendly’s Police Family Finance Index Report (Spring 2025), 64% of police officers nationally reported having financial concerts, and over half (55%) said financial stress was impacting their wellbeing. Shockingly, 17% of police officers reported missing meals due to a lack of money.

The survey also found that a quarter of officers with one to five years’ service were contemplating leaving policing, citing financial stress and workplace pressures. One in five officers in this experience bracket are considering taking on second jobs to make ends meet.

Darren said: “For years now, we have been arguing for improved pay – pay is down 21% since 2009, when taking inflation into account.

“The Police Remuneration Review Body is not fit for purpose. It should be recognised that we don’t have any industrial rights, unlike other public-sector workers, so surely the pay should reflect that? The National Police Chiefs’ Council has recommended a 3.8% rise for Federated officers and 4.8% for senior leaders.

“We will likely be disappointed and underappreciated yet again. We need to retain officers to protect the public, but officers are now only staying for four years, obtaining a degree for free then leaving. This model is not sustainable.”

As well as pay being restored, police forces needed to provide officers with better financial education, Darren said, so that they could avoid the pitfalls of getting into debt.

He continued: “Pension changes also make the prospect of working 40-plus years unattractive. Officers are subjected to vile behaviour and are regularly assaulted just for doing their jobs. How many traumatic incidents does an officer have to deal with before they break? Officers are human beings at the sharp end of society.”

Darren said there should be a Royal Commission into policing in order to find out what the public wants from its police officers in a changing society. He said: “It cannot be right that police funding keeps shrinking when we are dealing with significantly more complex investigations.”

Darren added: “Whatever challenges there are on the horizon, we are doing our best to represent our Surrey officers; if anyone needs help and advice, please contact us.”