‘Bad planning’ leads to leave cancellation

WEEKEND leave has been cancelled for all officers between Friday 22 July and Sunday 24 July, South Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

Officers will be expected instead to work at the Tramlines Music Festival in Sheffield and the RUFC v Sunderland pre-season friendly.

They will be asked to work just one day out of the three to minimise impact on their private lives, the force said.

But Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation said the decision was down to “bad planning”.

He said: “Cancelled rest days and leave embargoes have a huge effect on members. Officers are tired at the end of a set of shifts, both physically and mentally.

“Work is non-stop and refreshments are taken on the hoof. We need a rest like anyone else to recharge our batteries and have time to relax. We have families too and everyone wants a good work-life balance.

“Cancelled leave will lead to more officers burning out or breaking down. If that happens at work then the consequences could be fatal to colleagues or the public.

“Sickness rates are already increasing, which means more work is left for those at work. If an organisation puts on events that are designed to make a profit, then they should pay for the full costs of any extra policing required.”

Mr Bowles added that with fewer officers, the force needs to decide what jobs they will give up, because the status quo is no longer workable.

He added: “We have known about Tramlines since the last one, and there was always going to a friendly match at the same time. I do not believe this is an exigency of duty, but bad planning.

“Unless convinced otherwise we will advise members to submit overtime forms and if they are refused we shall seek legal advice over regulation breaches, and go to court.”