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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Police sick leave for psychological reasons up by a third in five years | Police sick leave for psychological reasons up by a third in five years |
| (5 months later) | |
| The number of police officers and staff taking long-term sick leave for psychological reasons has gone up by over a third in the past five years, FOI requests to police have revealed. | The number of police officers and staff taking long-term sick leave for psychological reasons has gone up by over a third in the past five years, FOI requests to police have revealed. |
| Despite overall employee numbers falling, the number of police officers and police staff taking time off for psychological reasons went up from 4,544 in 2010 to 6,129 in 2015. | Despite overall employee numbers falling, the number of police officers and police staff taking time off for psychological reasons went up from 4,544 in 2010 to 6,129 in 2015. |
| The figures, which come from a freedom of information request submitted by BBC Radio 5 live Daily, also show a steady increase in overall long-term sick leave over the same period. | The figures, which come from a freedom of information request submitted by BBC Radio 5 live Daily, also show a steady increase in overall long-term sick leave over the same period. |
| In 2010/11, 19,825 employees were recorded as being on long-term sick leave – defined by forces as 28 or 29 days or more – compared with 22,547 in 2014/15. | In 2010/11, 19,825 employees were recorded as being on long-term sick leave – defined by forces as 28 or 29 days or more – compared with 22,547 in 2014/15. |
| Of the 46 forces in the UK, 40 responded to the BBC’s FOI request. They came from England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Police Scotland did not reply. | Of the 46 forces in the UK, 40 responded to the BBC’s FOI request. They came from England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Police Scotland did not reply. |
| West Yorkshire police recorded the largest rise in long-term sick leave over a year – up 44% between 2013/14 and 2014/15 – with Warwickshire police showing the biggest decrease, 17%. | West Yorkshire police recorded the largest rise in long-term sick leave over a year – up 44% between 2013/14 and 2014/15 – with Warwickshire police showing the biggest decrease, 17%. |
| Police forces have seen their number of employees decrease, with cuts leading to a drop of 17,000 officers since 2010 according to Che Donald, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents frontline police officers. | Police forces have seen their number of employees decrease, with cuts leading to a drop of 17,000 officers since 2010 according to Che Donald, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents frontline police officers. |
| Donald said overall crime had gone up and described the police service as “overstretched and overworked”. | Donald said overall crime had gone up and described the police service as “overstretched and overworked”. |
| He told the BBC: “The increase in sickness levels, including mental health and psychological issues, does not come as a surprise. | He told the BBC: “The increase in sickness levels, including mental health and psychological issues, does not come as a surprise. |
| “We are seeing more officers needing to take time off for mental health reasons; they are often working in highly stressful, fast-moving environments along with being exposed to horrific situations which takes its toll.” | “We are seeing more officers needing to take time off for mental health reasons; they are often working in highly stressful, fast-moving environments along with being exposed to horrific situations which takes its toll.” |
| In October 2014 the government allocated £10m to help support emergency services personnel and volunteers, focused on mental health, physical recuperation and bereavement support, Mike Penning, the minister for policing, told BBC Radio 5 live Daily. | In October 2014 the government allocated £10m to help support emergency services personnel and volunteers, focused on mental health, physical recuperation and bereavement support, Mike Penning, the minister for policing, told BBC Radio 5 live Daily. |
| He said: “Policing, by its very nature, is a stressful and demanding job and it is the responsibility of chief officers, with help from the College of Policing, to ensure police officers and staff are supported in their work.” | He said: “Policing, by its very nature, is a stressful and demanding job and it is the responsibility of chief officers, with help from the College of Policing, to ensure police officers and staff are supported in their work.” |