More traffic officers must be hired to patrol South Yorkshire\u2019s major highways, the county\u2019s police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
The number of officers working in traffic units have plummeted nationally over the past decade, with just 3,889 cops at the end of March \u2013 a drop of 22% since 2015.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said a \u201clack of police presence on the roads\u201d was among the public\u2019s top concerns.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe amount of people killed on the roads is almost ten times the number who are murdered each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive issue for the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
While speed cameras act as a deterrent for most, some people who know the roads can avoid their penalties by slowing down at the right times.<\/p>\n
Steve said the \u201crandomness\u201d of patrolling officers would help to catch those flouting the rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t seen a motorway patrol car for the period I\u2019ve been the Chair \u2013 that\u2019s seven years,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s not acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The impact of having a small team is having an impact on officers, who are dealing with repeated and sometimes uninterrupted incidents of trauma.<\/p>\n
Steve continued: \u201cThere is something specifically concerning about the specific pressure traffic officers are under at the minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are going through horrendous incidents on an almost daily basis and their numbers are so small.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Federation has been briefing officers on the counselling available to them, with Steve saying he is \u201cworried about the cumulative effect\u201d of a lack of rest.<\/p>\n