POLICE OFFICER AND STAFFING NUMBERS

That this House is concerned by the recently released Home Office figures regarding police officer and staff figures across England and Wales; notes that since 2010 there has been a reduction in the total workforce of 45,830 from 240,243 in 2010 to 194,418 in March 2017; further notes that since 2010 there has been a reduction in front line police officers of 20,592 from 143,734 in 2010 to 123,142 in March 2017; is further concerned that these drastic reductions in staff and front line officers will have a detrimental effect on the reporting of crime as well as the safety of citizens across the country; is aware that the Police Federation of England and Wales conducted a survey of staff in 2016 which showed that 78 per cent of officers reported insufficient officers in their team, 57 per cent reported being frequently single crewed and were therefore more likely to be verbally insulted, abused or physically attacked and 84 per cent of officers reported working one or more hours of unpaid overtime in a typical four day week; is concerned that of those officers who responded to the survey 39 per cent report high job stressfulness and that these officers were 11 times more like to report poor mental wellbeing and five times more likely to have experienced mental health issues; and therefore calls on the Government to support police officers and staff by providing adequate support as well as ensuring front line police staff numbers are returned to pre-2010 figures.