Government urged to back policing in England and Wales

10 June 2025

British policing is “carrying the scars of austerity” and urgently needs Government support, Surrey Police Federation has warned, amid deepening concerns over a growing exodus of experienced officers.

Darren Pemble, Chair of Surrey Police Federation, said officers are battling out-of-date policing models, broken buildings and increasing demands – while feeling let down by those in power.

"It goes without saying that policing is struggling. We are carrying the scars of austerity and need sensible decisions around what funding the Government will give policing.

"The Home Office needs to back policing so our members can protect communities and the public."

Ahead of the Government Spending Review this week, Darren backed Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley’s recent call for urgent reform and funding, warning that the entire model of policing “is out of date and urgently needs reviewing and - as Sir Mark says - we need radical reform.”

“And it cannot be right that police officers have to work with outdated tech in crumbling buildings. We need investment in police stations where officers and staff can work securely and safely. Who wants to work in broken unsightly police stations? The answer is no one. Police leaders and the Government need to do more for officers and staff.”

Darren’s warning comes as the Police Federation of England and Wales issues fresh concern about pay, retention and the loss of experience on the frontline.

Tiff Lynch, Acting Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), wrote in The Times saying that the police exodus over low pay was a “public safety catastrophe”.

Tiff wrote: “We are on track to lose 10,000 officers a year. The proportion of officers with less than five years' experience has jumped by a third since 2019. We are haemorrhaging talent, as long-serving officers walk away because they simply can't afford to stay.”