Police in Cumbria "running for the exits" - with one in 10 set to quit

The majority of the force's officers - 85 per cent - feel morale is low in county crimefighting, with the full eye-opening details of a survey revealed today.

The man representing Cumbria's rank-and-file police says there has been a "perfect storm" of wage caps, increased workload and poor morale.

Martin Plummer, chairman of the county police federation, said: "They say don't kick a dog when it's down.

"Well this dog isn't getting up any more. It's just lying there."

His damning verdict on the mood among officers follows figures revealing the number of sick days taken by county officers over mental health concerns or psychological health issues is going up.

There were a total of 2,884 taken in the 12 months up to April, up on 2,402 the year before - and 1,294 in 2014/15.

This comes amid a dramatic change in the face of county crimefighting this decade.

This has seen:

– Officer numbers drop by 152 - from 1,274 to 1,122 since 2009;

– The closure of 18 police stations or bases in Cumbria in just over five years;

– Pay caps and changes in pension arrangements for officers;

– Budget cuts - and the potential for more financial uncertainty to come;

– Ongoing public controversy over the 101 call system, with people using the delay-hit line now being recommended to consider emailing.

The Cumbria situation follows a statement by Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, the president of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales.

He said many officers were now feeling overworked and showing symptoms of mental ill health.

Chief Supt Thomas said police nationally were facing a “perfect storm” of staff cuts, new threats and a rise in crime,

And Mr Plummer said: "Some say the perfect storm is coming. In regards to morale, the perfect storm is here.
Martin Plummer from the Police Federation

"People are running for the exits."

The survey on pay and morale was carried out by Cumbria Police Federation.

Its findings included:

– 85 per cent of those taking part said they did not feel they were paid fairly for the stresses and strains of their job;

– 62 per cent felt they were worse off financially compared to five years ago;

– 85 per cent felt morale within their force was currently low;

– 64 per cent would not recommend joining the police.

Mr Plummer said the results of the survey were "absolutely no surprise at all".

He added: "People now are saying: not only am I sick and tired of what is happening, they are prepared to stand up and be counted."

He said the results were what was expected following a number of years of pay caps, changes in pension arrangements and fewer officers and staff in the force.

The Government in recent days announced a pay rise for police which breached the one per cent public sector pay cap.

Police will get a one per cent pay rise plus a one per cent bonus for the year.

But the federation feels the Government could have gone further - and that the issue runs deeper.

He also pointed out how, with a small force, a drop of more than 150 officers could make a big difference.

"Officers are frustrated because, as a result of the constant cuts over many years, they cannot now provide the service they know the public expect and deserve," he said.

"And because the workload is going to increase, that is having an effect on officers' wellbeing and welfare.

"We are seeing unprecedented numbers of reported work-related stress and anxiety health problems.

"Occupational health departments are getting more cases of work-based stress and anxiety than ever before.

"There's always been stress, but they are having to train supervisors and management to be more alert to recognise the early signs of stress and anxiety.

"We are seeing unprecedented levels."

He said the impact of low morale and stress went beyond officers' working lives.

"There is also the impact on loved ones - families, kids," he added.

"It's having an effect on officers' relationships, their home lives."

Mr Plummer pointed to recent atrocities and the terror threat facing the country.

"Never has the threat from terrorism been as great," he said.

"On the one hand, whenever there is a serious incident, politicians say the police are brilliant.

"With the next breath they say we are going to cap your pay for the next four years, we are going to change your pension and we are going to have to do significantly more work with fewer officers."

He reflected on a changing culture in terms of people leaving, with policing traditionally a job officers spent 30 years performing before retiring.

"We have got unprecedented levels of people who are leaving the force," he said.

"It will have a huge detrimental effect on the force as a whole. Experience is walking out of the door.

"At one time you only saw people leave when they reached retirement age or were unfortunate enough to be pensioned off on ill health."

He added: "The amount of people going now with just 10 years' service is shocking.

"People are looking for alternative employment."

Mr Plummer also drew on the possibility of further cuts down the line.

"There will come a point when the Government needs to make further cuts to the public sector and they will think: We haven't had a chip away at the police for a couple of years," he added.

Cumbria's crime commissioner, Peter McCall, said he was in favour of the pay cap being abandoned.
Crime Commissioner for Cumbria Peter McCall

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said the routes of the issue lay in the economic crisis.

He added: "You've got to remember in 2010, we were economically in a very bad place.

"Clearly there had to be a reduction in spending because at the end of the day we have to live within our means.

"Now our economy is getting better, although there is a way to go, what we are starting to see is the Government lifting the cap.

"I think that will feed through."

Mr Stevenson said the service had been in a position where it had to find savings.

"But so have other organisations as well," he said.

"What we've got to try and do is get the right balance so they can deliver their service in the best way possible."

He said there were certain "unique issues" in Cumbria because of its geography.

"That has been recognised in the past," he added.

Cumbria's deputy police chief said the force had a duty to help officers

Michelle Skeer, deputy chief constable of Cumbria, said finances were a challenge.

She said: "Every day, police officers operate in a dangerous and stressful work environment that involves putting themselves in harm’s way to keep people safe.

"As employers we have a duty to help officers manage the impact this has on their psychological health and wellbeing.

“A force-wide wellbeing strategy has been introduced which concentrates on the individual and offers a range of support programmes.
Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Skeer

"Bespoke training has also been issued to managers in order to identify any wellbeing issues at an early stage."

She said the force would continue to regularly review its approach to the wellbeing of staff to support them.

"It is no secret that all police forces are working through a challenging financial time," added Mrs Skeer.

"However, our officers and staff remain committed to keeping the public safe."

The changing public face of crimefighting

In one of the most public changes to crimefighting, budget cuts have led to the closure of 18 police stations or bases in Cumbria in just over five years.

Cash constraints have taken their toll on a major part of the public face of law and order.

Since 2011, law-keeping outposts that stood for generations have vanished from towns and communities.

Police chiefs blame cuts for them having to make the tough decision between keeping bricks and mortar - or officers to fight crime.

A number of other smaller community bases have opened in some cases in places such as community centres or portable cabins - but figures show the overall number of stations has dropped.

Those leading the force say they have to cut their cloth according to the cash available - and older traditional buildings eat up money.

The former police station at Welsh Road, Harraby, Carlisle Among the stations to close include the satellite station in Carlisle's Welsh Road.

In west Cumbria, a number of sizeable towns, including Maryport, Egremont and Cleator Moor, have seen stations close.

Ulverston, Dalton and Millom are among towns where stations have closed, to be replaced with much smaller satellite bases.

The number of sick days taken by police in Cumbria citing mental health concerns or psychological health issues:

* 2014/15 - 1,294; 2015/16 - 2,402; 2016/17 - 2,884.