"Real concerns" about strain on Norfolk Police officers ahead of busy summer
Norfolk Police Federation says officers are tired.
Norfolk Police Federation is warning about the pressures being piled onto officers in the county ahead of a potentially very busy summer.
It says forces across the country are bracing themselves with restrictions continuing to ease and events like the Euro's, G7 and COP26 summits all expected to require additional resources.
Andy Symonds, Chair of the Norfolk Police Federation, says he's worried about the extra stresses and strains being placed on officers after what has already been an extremely challenging year.
Officers have already been banned from taking holiday for parts of the summer to help the force plan for a likely spike in demand.
Mr Symonds said: "I have some real concerns around our capacity to cope after a year of policing this pandemic," he said.
"Officers are not fresh and ready to go; they are fatigued.
"Therefore, it's vital that we in the Federation continually push, support and make those strong representations to help mitigate the pressures being placed upon the officers we represent.
"But through all of these pressures and demands currently being placed upon officers, which will only increase as the summer approaches, my colleagues will rise to the challenge as they always do.
"In turn, the force and the Federation has a duty of care towards my colleagues who are on the sharp end of policing."
He added that the Federation was working hard to look after the welfare of officers who might be asked to provide mutual aid to help police high-profile national events, such as the G7 in Cornwall and COP26 in Glasgow.
Part of that means making sure they can claim the allowances they are entitled to for working away from home.
"Police officers are already seeing the impacts of the re-opening of the economy and society," he said.
"We already have two leave embargo periods in place for this year. G7 and COP26 impact officers right across the country.
"The Federation has been working in the background to secure officers deployed on these events the Away from Home Allowance and appropriate accommodation.
"I know my colleagues in the respective branches of the Federation will be present during these events supporting my colleagues who will be deployed to G7 and COP26.
"Inspectors deployed to G7 will also be able to claim a payment to recognise the role they play while on mutual aid.
"We're seeing officers rest days being re-rostered in force at an increased rate over the recent period, and this is without the country being fully opened up, which will come in June."