Struggling GM cops want to quit force, morale survey says

'VAST MAJORITY SAY THEY ARE WORSE OFF THAN FIVE YEARS AGO'

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

THE vast majority of cops at Greater Manchester Police say they are worse off than five years ago, according to a survey.

A quarter said they didn't earn enough to cover essential bills and 16 per cent said they wanted to leave the force because of pay.

A picture of low morale in the force has emerged in a new report published by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which revealed 86 per cent of respondents from GMP reported they were 'worse off' financially now than they were five years ago and 22 per cent 'never' or 'almost never' have enough money to cover all their essential bills.

The survey revealed 16 per cent of the 1,446 GMP officers who responded - amounting to 234 cops - said they intend to resign from the police service 'within the next two years' or 'as soon as they can! GMP praised the 'dedication, bravery, and resilience' of its officers but admitted there was 'work to be done' to improve morale.

The government awarded police a seven per cent pay rise in 2023 but, according to the Police Federation, officers have experienced a 16 per cent real terms pay cut during the last 12 years when inflation is taken into account. Some 92 per cent said they did not feel respected by the government and 57 per cent said morale was low, according to the Police Federation, the body which represents rank-and-file officers.