Morale in Gwent Police is falling with officers saying they feel badly treated, poorly paid and over-stretched, according to a new Police Federation report.

The Federation’s annual pay and morale survey found that 53 per cent of officers in Gwent felt their morale was either low or very low compared to 46 per cent in the previous year’s survey.

A total of 84 per cent felt that morale in the Force was low or very low, up from 78 per cent.

But the report found that the biggest contributor to low morale, according to Gwent officers, was the way police were treated by the Government (98 per cent), how the police are treated by the public (86 per cent), and pay (83 per cent). Other factors included the pandemic (78 per cent), pensions (71 per cent), and workload and responsibilities (62 per cent).

The survey found that five per cent of Gwent officers intend to leave the police service, either within the next two years or as soon as possible.

Almost half (46 per cent) of Gwent officers worried about the state of their personal finances every day or almost every day, while 13 per cent reported never or almost never having enough money to cover their monthly essentials.

The survey also found that 96 per cent of Gwent officers don’t feel they’re paid fairly for the stresses and strains of their job, up from 86 per cent on the previous year. In addition, 88 per cent said they’re not fairly paid for the hazards they face in the role, up from 76 per cent.

Gwent Police Federation chair Steve Thorpe said: “The findings of our annual pay and morale survey are shocking.

“Every day our members are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, the least they can expect from the Government and politicians is backing and support.

“However, our survey shows that many officers are demoralised and despondent due to the way they’re treated, their increasing workloads and by their falling pay as the cost of living crisis bites.

“It’s a disgrace that, at a time when we need our officers more than ever, many of them are struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills.

“It’s vital that Government and our police leaders act on our survey and its shocking results.”

Key findings in Gwent were:

Pay and remuneration

• 79 per cent said that they are dissatisfied with their overall remuneration (including basic pay and allowances)
• 46 per cent reported worrying about the state of their personal finances every day or almost every day
• 75 per cent felt that they were worse off financially than they were five years ago
• 13 per cent reported never or almost never having enough money to cover all their essentials.

Morale and engagement

• 53 per cent said their morale is currently low
• 84 per cent felt morale within the Force is currently low
• 71 per cent said they would not recommend joining the police to others
• 96 per cent said they do not feel respected by the Government
• 5 per cent said they had an intention to leave the police service either within the next 2 years or as soon as possible.

Workload and working time

• 7 per cent said that they have never or rarely been able to take at least one rest day per week in the last 12 months
• 68 per cent said that over the last 12 months, their workload has been too high or much too high.

Read the full report.