The Police Federation has warned policing is nearing a tipping point, with almost one in three officers and staff ready to leave as years of warnings on pay, workload and leadership are ignored.

The findings published today in Oscar Kilo's National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey are yet another warning sign from a workforce that has been raising the same concerns for years about workload, work-life balance and pay, with little meaningful action taken.

Nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of police officers considering leaving say poor work-life balance is driving their decision, while forces across the UK owe almost 820,000 rest days, equivalent to more than 2,240 years of lost family time, rest and recovery.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of police officers planning on leaving want better pay and benefits, while 41 per cent of police constables have struggled with financial stress in the past year. After more than a decade of pay erosion, police pay is now worth over 20 per cent less in real terms than it was in 2010, leaving many officers questioning whether policing remains a viable career.

Police Federation National Chair Tiff Lynch said: "Nothing changes. Year after year, police officers tell us the same things. They are exhausted, overstretched, broken and have Copped Enough. The warnings keep coming, the evidence keeps mounting, yet the response remains the same. How many more times do officers have to tell government and police leaders they are at breaking point before somebody listens and then actually acts?

"With almost one in three officers and staff planning to leave, policing is approaching a tipping point. Ministers and chief officers must stop ignoring the warning signs and start delivering solutions."

Police Federation National Secretary John Partington said: “Police officers have copped more than a decade of pay cuts, soaring workloads and broken promises. The Government cannot keep expecting officers to carry the service on goodwill alone. Deliver fair pay, fix retention and value the people who keep our communities safe before even more experience walks out of the door."

The findings paint a picture of a workforce under relentless pressure, with officers increasingly questioning whether they can continue in the job. Cancelled rest days, disrupted leave and soaring workloads have become part of everyday policing, while years of pay erosion continue to hit morale and retention.

The findings add to the growing momentum behind the Police Federation’s Copped Enough campaign, which is calling for fair pay, better wellbeing support and meaningful action to keep experienced officers in policing.

More than 60,000 people have already backed the campaign, sending a clear message to Government that officers have had enough of being ignored.

The Federation is urging officers, staff and the public to add their support before the campaign is taken directly to Number 10.

Read the full National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey findings: National Workforce and Wellbeing Survey Results Published | Oscar Kilo