PM’S ATTACK ON POLICING IS PERSONAL
Police union boss hits out at May
THE chairman of the Police Federation says Theresa May is carrying out a ‘personal attack’ on policing.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mirror, John Apter accused the PM of treating officers with contempt. He said that because of low pay they were turning to payday loans and charities to make ends meet.
He blamed the Tory Government – and particularly Mrs May – for the state of policing, saying: “The police force is not at breaking point – it’s already broken.
“People feel this attack on policing is from the PM. Directly. Herself. She has shown nothing but contempt for policing and those whose deliver it.
“It is very personal. And it’s been going on since she was Home Secretary. Remarks like ‘policing is just about crime’ show a complete ignorance. The estimate is only 20 per cent of what we deal with is crimerelated. The rest is dealing with missing people, mental health issues, education and other important work.” He added: “It’s incredibly sad because despite SUBMERGED: the pain and suffering they’re going through, officers still want to keep doing the job. They are still motivated to do what they can.” Mr Apter, who became chairman of the Police Federation last month, said: “We’ve lost 21,000 police officers. Demands are increasing, crime is increasing. There is a tipping point and we’ve gone beyond that.” He revealed that low pay and an increase in the cost of living had plunged many officers into debt. “Financially, they’re in a very vulnerable position,” he said. “I know many officers have resorted to payday loans.” He said he knew of one officer, a single mum, who ended up in emergency B&B accommodation. “For a police officer to end up like that in the 21st century is appalling,” he said. keir.mudie@sundaymirror. co.uk