Officers Are Stretched To The Limit

Policing across South Yorkshire is “stretched to the limit” because of chronic underfunding, the county’s police Federation has said.

Chair Steve Kent said cops were working on the red line and warned “it can’t go on”.

He warned: “You’re going to wear people out, you’re going to burn people out and you’re going to break officers. This is what is happening.”

The Federation Chair revealed senior officers and chief inspectors were close to burnout having worked 60-hour weeks.

He praised the efforts of South Yorkshire Police officers for overachieving despite the dire working environment.

Steve added: “We are on of the best performing forces, or have been in the country, with some of the fewest resources.

“We’re doing the best we can with what little we’ve got. There needs to be significant growth throughout all ranks – not just PCs and sergeants.

“Without that, it’s just going to carry on like this and we’re just going to go round this merry-go-round again.

“It’s not fair on our cops and it’s not fair for the public of South Yorkshire who don’t get anywhere near the same resources as other parts of the country. It’s just not acceptable.”