Cambridgeshire Police Federation is working hard to provide welfare support to officers facing financial hardship.
The initiative has seen the Federation donate items to the charity, enabling parcels, food, and essential items to be provided discreetly and confidentially to officers struggling with rising living costs.
It comes as a startling new survey revealed that one in 10 Cambridgeshire Police officers have gone without food in the past 12 months because they could not afford to eat.
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom said: “The public turns to our members when they are most in need, so it can’t be right that police officers are turning to charity and food banks to put food on the table, or even choosing not to eat.
“But after a decade of pay cuts and rising living costs, that’s where we are.
“We’re working hard to help those who need it by providing them with boxes with basic foods and items.
“Everything is treated anonymously, discreetly and confidentially.
“We’ve had officers needing this support more than once, which shows the financial pressure people are under.
“But they should not have to rely on these parcels. This really does need to be a wake-up call to the Government.”
The figure is in the latest Police Family Finance Index Report, published by Police Friendly.
It found that two-thirds of Cambridgeshire Police officers (68 per cent) reported financial concerns.
A third (34 per cent) frequently rely on credit cards, overdrafts or borrowing to pay essential bills, while 14 per cent of officers are considering leaving policing within the next five years.
Liz renewed her calls for Cambridgeshire Police officers to be paid the South East Allowance.
She said: “Our members are not in receipt of the South East Allowance, which means they’re financially disadvantaged compared to colleagues in neighbouring counties they’re working directly with.
“Many Cambridgeshire officers are now living in the north of the county, or even in Lincolnshire – because it’s cheaper – and then travelling distances to work.
“Giving them the allowance would go some way to easing the financial pressure on them.
“However, a proper review is being pushed into the long grass while the cost of living keeps rising. It needs to change now.”
The survey also found that 37 per cent have considered stopping police pension contributions but continue to pay, and 11 per cent have already stopped contributing altogether.
Liz said: “People are coming out of their pensions because they simply can’t afford to live. It might feel cheaper now, but it could seriously impact them in the future.”
The Cambridgeshire Police results mirror national trends.
The report, based on more than 13,500 responses from across the UK police family, also highlights:
- 68 per cent of police officers report current financial concerns
- 56 per cent say their financial situation has worsened over the past year
- Nearly 4 in 10 are in significant debt when housing costs are included
- 15 per cent report missing meals due to lack of money
Tiff Lynch, national chair of Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We’ve seen again this week the very real dangers officers face; bravery and selflessness, running towards danger to protect the local community.
“What the public isn’t told is that those same officers are doing it on pay that means they struggle to pay the bills.
“Up to 10,000 officers may already have stopped paying into their pensions just to get through the month.
“This is not sustainable. A minimum seven per cent annual pay award for the next three years is both fair and affordable because the alternative is losing experienced officers and putting public safety at risk.”
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM, service director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, said: “The findings from Police Friendly’s latest survey echo the serious concerns we have about the financial challenges faced by those in policing.
“These findings can’t be viewed in isolation. We cannot underestimate the weight financial instability can have on a person’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Year-on-year, Police Friendly release findings from their annual survey – and the results get worse each time around. This is just one of many elements highlighting the growing strain and pressures being placed on the shoulders of police officers and their families.
“The only way we can stop this is for multiple key stakeholders to collaboratively address the key issues.
“We recognise that it can be difficult to reach out for support using work systems. If you are working in policing, or you have left the service, or you are a family member, and you are concerned about your finances or would like reliable advice, there are numerous confidential, independent options we must keep promoting.”