Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

87% of Merseyside Police Officers feel:- 'worse off' financially now than they were five years ago and 19%:- 'never' or 'almost never' have enough money to cover all their essentials.

According to the 2023 Police Federation of England and Wales Pay and Morale Report; published today; 91% of respondents have seen living cost increases in the previous month and 83% of Officers are dissatisfied with their pay.

Worryingly, 16% of Merseyside Police Officers who responded to the survey said they intend to resign from the Police Service either:- 'within the next 2 years' or 'as soon as [they] can'.

Whilst Police Officers received a 7% pay rise in 2023, they have still seen an incredible 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years.

Police chiefs have pointed out that the high cost of living in the UK is placing an even bigger strain on Officers, as well as hampering recruitment. They have asked the Government for Officers to receive a 6% pay rise in 2024.

Officers are also struggling with low morale and lack of support, the survey found. 96% of Officers said they do not feel respected by the Government, and 56% said they were experiencing low morale.

70% of respondents from Merseyside Police said that they would not recommend joining the Police to others. 70% said they do not feel valued within the service.

Chris McGlade, Chair of Merseyside Police Federation, said:- "Firstly, I would like to thank my colleagues who took part in this survey. The results, sadly, are not surprising. Over the past 15 years, our members have become accustomed to below inflation or zero pay awards. Historically, it was the case that those who were passionate about protecting their communities saw policing as a "career for life", this survey demonstrates this is no longer the case. The Government must address the real term pay cuts that our members have endured year on year, and I hope they do not seek to hide behind last year's pay award when it comes to this year's decision. I will personally be contacting each of the 15 Merseyside MPs and sharing the results of this survey with them. Police Officer pay needs to be reflective of the great work my colleagues do daily and the significant risks they routinely face whilst protecting our communities."

Officers are coming under attack from the public too, the report showed, with 18% having suffered 1 or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work related violence in 2023.

Only 22% of Officers who responded reported having access to double crewing at all times whilst on duty.

64% of respondents from Merseyside Police said that over the last 12 months, their workload has been:- 'too high' or 'much too high'. 8% of Officers said that they have:- 'never' or 'rarely' been able to take an 11 hour break between shifts, in the last 12 months, and 33% said they feel:- 'always' or 'often' feel pressured into working long hours.

Sadly, 84% of respondents from Merseyside Police indicated that they had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months, and 44% said that they find their job:- 'very' or 'extremely' stressful.

The survey is based on 654 responses received from Merseyside Police Officers.