Lancashire Police Federation

02/05/2026

A shocking 15% of police officers have missed out on meals due to financial worries - with 32% thinking of leaving the service due to financial insecurity.

The latest Police Family Finance Index Report has highlighted ongoing concerns around long-term financial security across the police workforce.

The findings point to a growing trend driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with rising housing costs, inflation, and stagnant real-term pay forcing many officers to make difficult short-term financial decisions - often at the expense of their future.

Younger officers are particularly affected. Those under 35 are significantly more likely to both consider and act on pension opt-outs, highlighting a potential long-term generational impact on retirement outcomes.

The report, published by Police Friendly and based on over 13,500 responses from across the UK police family, also highlights:

• 68% of police officers report current financial concerns
• 56% say their financial situation has worsened over the past year
• Nearly 4 in 10 are in significant debt when housing costs are included
• 46% of police officers have considered opting out of their pension in the past 12 months, and new survey renewals, with 7% going on to stop contributions altogether.

With many officers reporting they have less than £100 left at the end of each month, pension contributions - often a substantial deduction from take-home pay - are increasingly viewed as unaffordable in the short term.

Tiff Lynch, National Chair of Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We’ve seen again this week the very real dangers officers face; bravery and selflessness, running towards danger to protect the local community.

"What the public aren’t told is that those same officers are doing it on pay that means they struggle to pay the bills.

"Up to 10,000 officers may already have stopped paying into their pensions just to get through the month.

“This is not sustainable. A minimum 7 per cent annual pay award for the next three years is both fair and affordable because the alternative is losing experienced officers and putting public safety at risk.”

More here https://www.metfriendly.org.uk/metfriendly-police-family-finance-index-report-spring-2026/

27/04/2026

The Government is committed to improving officer wellbeing, Police Minister Sarah Jones has told the Response Policing Conference.

Acknowledging that response officers face “one of the most important and challenging roles in policing”, she said they will receive extra wellbeing support.

The Police Minister told delegates at the conference in Manchester: “In seeing and dealing with the worst side of humanity, we should never lose sight of the mental and emotional toll protecting the communities you serve takes on you. I am clear that police wellbeing must be prioritised to ensure you can be motivated and you can thrive.

“[We will be] working really closely with the National Police Wellbeing Service and the Chief Medical Officer for policing to set national mandatory targets in police wellbeing provision, and begin delivery of an enhanced trauma support package, this year.

“We will also expand the use of psychological risk assessments to high-risk roles, including response officers, given the frequency and nature of traumatic incidents.

“Many members of the public will only ever experience the police as a victim or a witness of crime. Response officers are at the forefront of their experience. Your empathy and professionalism in supporting victims and witnesses of crime are instrumental in growing and maintaining positive perceptions of the police service as a whole.”

She said police reforms detailed in this year’s White Paper will establish a clear and consistent structure for officers, supporting learning, training, and professional development, with a greater emphasis being placed on allowing time for both personal development and wellbeing.

She added: “This government is committed to ensuring that police officers receive the support they need to deliver the service the public expects.”

25/04/2026

Upcoming Mortgage surgery for colleagues

24/04/2026

A Family Law surgery is being held at Federation Office, Police HQ on Wednesday 6th May 2026.



Lund Bennett Law is a dedicated Family Law Solicitors for Lancashire Police Federation.

To make an appointment with the Family Solicitor please telephone 01772 584 556 or email lancashire@polfed.org

All federation members, their family and police staff are offered:

- A free initial 60-minute consultation
- A reduced fixed fee Divorce, and
- Discounted hourly rates.

The family law solicitor specialises in all areas of matrimonial law including divorce, finances and pension on divorce, child arrangements, cohabitation and civil partnership disputes.

They offer monthly in person surgeries at the Federation Office. As well as Teams appointments or telephone call appointments at any time – just call 0161 924 0079. Whichever is most convenient for you.

23/04/2026

A Police Memorial stone was today unveiled in memory of killed Thames Valley Police Officer PC Andrew Harper.

His wife Lissie, colleagues and many other dignitaries - including Police Minister Sarah Jones representing the Government - attended the unveiling in Reading, which was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Lissie said: "Today, we gather to remember and honour my late husband, Andrew — a man who meant so much to so many, and everything to me.

"He was proud to serve as a police officer, but to me, he was so much more.

"He was my partner, my strength, and my first love.

"He had a kind heart, a steady presence, and a quiet courage that shaped the way he lived every single day."

PC Andrew Harper was killed on duty after being dragged by a fleeing car after confronting quad bike thieves in a country lane near
Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.

Three teenagers later received custodial sentences of between 13 and 16 years for Pc Harper's manslaughter.

Following their conviction his widow Lissie campaigned for tougher sentences for this killing Emergency Services workers, achieving what was known as Harper's Law in 2022.

Lissie added: "In 2019, our lives changed forever.

"The world lost a hero, but I lost the person I was meant to grow old with - the man I stood beside on our wedding day, promising a lifetime we never got to finish.

"There are no words for that kind of loss — but there is love.

"A love that hasn’t faded, and never will.

"I will always carry him with me — in my heart, in my memories, and in everything he taught me about strength, compassion, and courage."

She concluded: "Andrew was the epitome of what a police officer should be — willing to serve and protect at all costs.

"That is why I know how important it is that Andrew is honoured with this memorial, and I am so grateful to the trust and everyone involved in making it happen.

"I hope that those who walk these streets will take a moment to pause, to pay their respects, and to know that he made our world a safer place. He deserved so much more — but we will cherish all that he gave.

"Andrew… you are missed, you are loved, and you will never be forgotten."

Sarah Jones said: "It is incredibly humbling for me to be here with you all to honour PC Andrew Harper and to unveil a memorial dedicated to his memory which will act as permanent tribute to an outstanding police officer who was a credit to his family, his force and his country.

"His death was a moment of profound shock and sadness beyond those who knew and loved him but across the whole country.

"PC Harper was a dedicated public servant, a man of courage and would go out his way to help others and someone who epitomised the very best of British policing."

TVP Chief Constable Jason Hogg recalled being the Deputy Chief Constable - and on call - the night Andrew was killed in 2019.

He said: "Like many of those here, I remember that day with absolute clarity as the chief officer with Thames Valley Police on call that evening. I remember the shock at the information given. I remember standing with officers in the aftermath - that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"What I saw that day was a policing family in deep pain. I saw officers who were experienced, resilient, and professional, suddenly faced with the unbearable reality that one of their own was not coming home.

"And I remember watching hearts break in front of me. It was a solemn, devastating scene that left a mark on every one of us who witnessed it.

"Andrew was 28 years old. He was doing his job. He was responding to a call for help, serving the public, protecting his community. There was nothing extraordinary about that decision, because for police officers across this country that sense of duty is part of everyday service. And yet we know the risk is always there."

The Memorial Stone was commissioned by the Police Memorial Trust. Its Chair Geraldine Winner said: "It's absolutely right that the landscape of Reading should change just a little to accommodate a permanent reminder of the life and death of PC Andrew Harper."

22/04/2026

💙Lancs Police Health & Wellbeing Event

Come and visit our Membership Co-ordinator, Phil Weir, at Morecambe Police Station, 2nd Floor. She is eager to answer any questions you may have about The Ben Fund and the services we offer our members. Not yet joined? Membership forms are available along with a few freebies!!!

Membership is now open to Frontline Police Staff & an Amnesty is currently running.

21/04/2026

Man jailed for hitting police officer with a brick in Lancaster

On 22nd November 2023, one of our Lancaster-based PCs had to activate his emergency button when he was assaulted with a brick by George Jacob.

Jacob, and another man were spotted in possession of an electric motorbike.

The PC began a conversation with the men, and seized the motorbike, but Jacob quickly became violent, shouting at the officer and pushing him before running away.

The officer returned to his police car and was completing some paperwork in it when Jacob returned, armed with a brick. He threw the brick through the driver’s side window, hitting the PC in the face.

The officer was taken to hospital and had suffered severe concussion, two chipped teeth, a laceration to face and had to have an amount of glass removed from his face.

Thankfully, he made a quick recovery and has returned to policing the streets of Lancashire.

Jacob was arrested, and following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with wounding with intent, criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker.

Jacob, 42 of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to Section 20 wounding, police assault and criminal damage.

He was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Sessions House, Preston Crown Court, during a hearing last week.

In a Victim Personal Statement to the court, the officer said: “I have been a Police Officer for nearly seven years. I love my job and I'm good at it; but this incident has caused me to re-evaluate my career as a constable.

“I want to help people, protect victims and put those who don't belong on the streets away, but when my safety is put on the line and my ability to provide for my wife and daughter is jeopardised by such a cowardly act, it has made me feel like it’s no longer worth it.”

He ended his statement with: “I feel angry towards the defendant that rather than standing in front of me and seeing that I'm not just a Police Officer in uniform, I'm a friend, husband and a father, he spinelessly threw a brick and ran off, failing to face the consequences of his actions.

“He would have known what he did would have cause me such injuries, but he chose himself and tried to evade facing what he'd done, fleeing the area.”

Detective Inspector Adie Knowles, of Lancaster CID said: “No one should go to work to be assaulted, but sadly this officer was, for simply doing his job.
“They shouldn’t have to worry about being injured by someone else, for trying to keep the public safe.
“Whilst it isn’t my place to comment on the sentence itself, I, and the officer involved do want to tell you about this, so that you know it is not and never will be acceptable.
“It is not something to be accepted, it is not ‘just part of the job’. It is a criminal act, and one that will not be tolerated.”

https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/2026/april/man-jailed-for-hitting-police-officer-with-a-brick-in-lancaster/

20/04/2026

A survey of nearly 2,000 emergency response officers has revealed the scale of crisis facing policing - with 91% of officers working in unsafe and understaffed teams.

The survey, conducted by the Police Federation, also found that more than half (52%) of officers believe response policing is not working well, with just 6% saying it is working “very well”. The survey includes responses from officers in all 43 police forces in England and Wales, the majority of whom are constables and sergeants working on the frontline.

More than a third of officers said travel distances and the size of the areas understaffed teams cover are affecting their ability to respond, while almost one in five cited equipment failures. Officers described “constant pressure to move onto the next incident”, “being singly crewed”, and “full shifts wiped out by the first job of the day”, painting a picture of response teams stretched not just by volume, but by distance, weak systems and too little support.

Craig Nicholls, Chair of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "In West Yorkshire, our response officers know exactly what these findings mean because they live them every day. They are dealing with relentless demand, covering large areas, managing risk, and responding to some of the most distressing incidents in policing, all while working under intense pressure.

"This is one of the toughest jobs in public service and our members continue to show remarkable professionalism and commitment in extremely difficult circumstances. But there is a limit to how much pressure officers can absorb before it starts to affect their wellbeing and the service the public receives.

"When teams are stretched too far, it has real consequences. It means greater strain on officers, less time to deal with each job thoroughly and a system that is constantly under pressure. If we want response policing to work as it should, officers need proper staffing, proper support and the backing of a system that recognises policing cannot continue to carry such relentless demand on its own."

Alongside the survey, the Federation is launching a new film, “My Last Set”, which uses actors to portray the real, unedited words of police officers who were asked a very simple question: tell us what your last week of shifts were like. The film is part of the Federation’s “Copped Enough” campaign, which calls attention to the crisis facing policing across the country.

The film reveals a consistent picture of everyday frontline policing:

• Teams operating well below safe staffing levels
• Officers working extended hours, often exceeding 60 hours a week
• Repeated exposure to traumatic incidents including suicides, stabbings and mental health crises
• Officers unable to take rest days due to the demands of the job and starting work feeling exhausted and traumatised.

Taken together, the survey data and the testimony in the film point to a service far beyond breaking point.

Brian Booth, Police Federation Deputy National Chair, said: “These officers are immersed in the blood, sweat and tears of emergency incidents every day. They know what they’re talking about and they know they’re working in a broken service that is only viable because it places unsustainable burdens on them. The question for anyone who cares about their community is simple: is this what a police service should look like? Our members will always do their duty, but they know they are working in a system that is failing them on every set of shifts they work, just as it is ailing the communities they are proud to serve.”

You can watch the video here

2 likes. "Overworked, Underpaid, Under Threat - "

17/04/2026

from DC Jack Owen and colleagues as dangerous individual is

https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/2026/april/man-sentenced-for-historical-sex-offences/

14/04/2026

Chief Constables have today announced that forces will introduce mandatory recording of Police Officer suicides.

National Police Chiefs' Council Statement: "We have now secured approval from Chief Constables to introduce a mandatory, consistent reporting requirement through the Chief Medical Officer for policing."

The NPCC added that it is also developing a national trauma support system, including tracking, annual psychological assessments and mandatory training.



If police officers and staff are struggling they can contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (call 0300 131 2789) and Samaritans (116 123).

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-mandatory-recording-officer-suicides-36975753

13/04/2026

The Home Office has told the PRRB a 2.5% pay rise for police officers is enough.

The National Police Chiefs' Council says 2.5% would be “fair” if no new money is provided.

2.5% is a real terms pay cut, and it risks pushing more officers out of the job.

https://polfed.org/news/latest-news/2026/public-safety-at-risk-as-poor-pay-drives-experienced-officers-away/

09/04/2026

from DC Jack Owen and colleagues as dangerous man is : https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/2026/april-2026/man-sentenced-for-historical-sex-offences/