PFEW to Government: Work with us to restore respect for police service

12 August 2024

Acting National Chair, Tiffany Lynch, responds to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's Op-Ed analysing the recent events up and down the country.

The Police Federation of England and Wales welcomes the article from the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, in today’s Telegraph and her comments in support of police officer across the country.

The Federation recognises the urgent need for restoring the public’s trust and confidence in policing, which is critical for the police to regain the respect of communities they serve and protect.

Acting National Chair Tiffany Lynch said: “At the outset I would like to thank the Home Secretary for publicly stating her confidence and support for policing and police officers. It is welcoming to see that the Home Secretary’s commitment, that she showed when in Opposition, continues in Government, as they drive a return to instilling the public’s respect for the police service.

“The events which unfolded following the gruesome stabbings in Southport are indeed a matter of grave concern for all of us. Criminal violence and attacks on police officers in the guise of exercising the democratic right to protest are unacceptable and should not be tolerated. It was refreshing to see the new Government speak out in support of police officers, who put their lives at stake in the line of duty across the country, when thuggery was unleashed on our streets.”

“Policing in our country is based on the Peelian principles – the police are the public and the public are the police - and to earn respect it is critical for the public to have the trust and confidence in the police service and police officers. This will not be possible if policing is used as a political football. Time and time again we have called for the need to keep politics out of policing, and we sincerely hope that the new Government will take concrete steps to ensure policing is not dragged into the political arena.

“We warned previous governments of the consequences of budget cuts to the police service and the impact this would have on our ability to keep communities safe, as well as the danger it presented for police officers. We were accused of crying wolf. The new Government must work with the Federation to build a resilient police service with motivated, respected and fairly rewarded police officers so that we can ensure the public have the police service they want and expect.”