“Police Under Pressure documentary shows reality of cuts”
“YOU cannot cut the policing budget and provide the same service to the public,” the chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation has warned following the broadcast of the TV documentary Police Under Pressure.
Neil Bowles (pictured) was speaking after watching the BBC’s behind the scenes insight into “how British policing is coping with budget cuts.” The documentary showed stretched South Yorkshire Police officers trying to do their best in Sheffield.
The officers were dreadfully under resourced and their frustration at not always being able to help law abiding members of the public was evident.
Mr Bowles said: “My colleagues (in the documentary) where just showing pictorially what myself, other fed members and senior officers in the force have being saying for some time now.
“The cuts mean that officers are working harder than ever.
“It comes down to experience – knowing what you can do and what you can’t do. Providing the visibility on the street and knowing your limits of support if you get into trouble.
“Officers feel supported morally but not resource wise.”
The documentary showed one officer say she had been spat at in the face by youths she is constantly having to deal with. One officer had blood streaming from his nose after arresting another troublesome teen.
Another officer stated: “I want people to understand the difficulties police officers face…”
One cop said their role – of constantly trying to disrupt anti-social behaviour – was “expensive babysitting”.
Mr Bowles added: “Response teams answering the 999 calls are just as depleted.
“You worry if you do get stuck, where the nearest support is coming from.”
Some commentators said the documentary poured scorn on the Government’s “Police Reform is working mantra” and the hashtag #policeunderpressure was trending on Twitter as the documentary was aired on Monday night.
According to the Independent newspaper: “This visit to the troubled areas of Parson Cross and Page Hall in Sheffield gave us an in-depth understanding of local tensions and the drawbacks of a “Section 30” – the temporary order that gives police power to disperse groups suspected of anti-social behaviour.
“As government cutbacks cause their numbers to dwindle dangerously, beat coppers like Christine have all the authority of a lollipop lady. “You might as well just withdraw from the area because you make a target of yourself,” she said gloomily.”
If you missed the documentary, you can see it again here www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04863bl/police-under-pressure-1-uneasy-peace