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Hertfordshire Police Federation

Federation officials meet with local MP

13 December 2024

Key issues affecting members were discussed during a meeting between Hertfordshire Police Federation and the new MP for Hemel Hempstead.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell and secretary Al Wollaston met Labour MP David Taylor in London to discuss a range of topics affecting local and national policing.

One of the key issues discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by acting national chair Tiff Lynch, was the southeast allowance.

Officers in Hertfordshire Police receive £3,000 southeast allowance on top of their basic pay.

 

MP David Taylor, acting national chair Tiff Lynch, branch chair
Luke Mitchell and secretary Al Wollaston.

 

However, Luke highlighted the impact on members of the real-terms reduction in police pay over the past decade and the cost of living crisis, adding that Hertfordshire was one of the most expensive areas in the country in which to live.

In the most recent Pay and Morale Survey, almost two out of five (18 per cent) respondents from Hertfordshire Police reported ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ having enough money to cover all their essentials.

More than four out of five (82 per cent) felt they were worse off than five years ago, while 70 per cent of respondents from Hertfordshire Police said they were ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ with their overall remuneration.

Financial pressure

Luke said: “Many of our members are under huge financial pressure. It really can’t be right that the people we trust to run towards danger to keep us safe are struggling to make ends meet.

“After a decade of cuts and austerity, we need pay restoration and a fair pay mechanism.

“We’re asking MPs to help ensure proper, meaningful pay that takes into account our unique job, our effective pay cut, and the rise in the cost of living.

“Until that point, an increase in the southeast allowance would go some way to easing the burden on our members.”

The issue of frontline police officers replacing staff in the Force control room was also discussed.

Members

Luke said: “Our members are already struggling under the weight of what they’re expected to do and taking officers away from frontline duties only adds to the workload.

“We’re all one team and frontline policing depends on back-office support. If we don’t have the staff to do that, it’s inevitable officers will be taken away from frontline duties, which affects our ability to police effectively.”

Luke also raised the lack of meaningful support given to officers when they experienced mental health issues because of the job. 

He said: “Increasing numbers of officers are experiencing feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety and other mental health issues.

“It’s vital we have the support available to prevent issues reaching crisis point and to allow our members to return to the jobs they want to do.”

Mr Taylor was voted into office in July. He pledged in his maiden speech to tackle prioritising antisocial behaviour, which he reiterated at a launch event in Parliament for Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week.

He has already been on a ride-along with Federation members, which he says provided him ‘with the opportunity to see the challenges faced by frontline officers to inform the actions I take in Parliament’.

Victims

And he has written to the Policing Minister urging her to visit Hemel Hempstead and pick the town to be part of the new Respect Order scheme.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Taylor spoke of the work he is doing with the Federation to hear the thoughts of officers.

He added: “Police must have the tools they need to deal with troublemakers in their community. Victims’ needs come first.”

In a second post on X, Mr Taylor said: “Huge thanks to @HertsPolice for hosting me for a ride along. This week I’ve been fortunate to spend time with @HertsPolFed in Parliament and officers on the streets in Hemel. Il be taking the things I see back to Parliament, to make sure officers have all the tools they need.”

Luke said: “We’re grateful to Mr Taylor for engaging with us and our members – not least for going on a ride-along with them to see first-hand some of the issues they’re facing.

“Our meeting was very productive and we look forward to continuing to represent our members as we build our relationship with Mr Taylor and our other MPs.”

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