MAIN FEATURE COPPED ENOUGH
PFEW’s new campaign, launching on 1 May, demands immediate government action to address plummeting police pay and stop the exodus of experienced officers from the service
Police officers in England and Wales are facing a severe pay crisis, with salaries falling by 21 per cent in real terms over the past decade. On 1 May, the Police Federation will launch a nationwide campaign, Copped Enough – What the Police Take Home Is Criminal, demanding urgent government action to address pay degradation and prevent the mass exodus of experienced officers in England and Wales.
POLICE OFFICERS ARE AT BREAKING POINT Over the past decade, police officer pay has plummeted by a fifth in real terms, while workloads, risks, and pressures have skyrocketed. Officers are leaving
04 | POLICE | APRIL | 2025
the force in record numbers, and those who remain are struggling to make ends meet. The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has launched a new national campaign, Copped Enough:
“This year, we needed a campaign
with ‘teeth’ because it’s not just about fair pay—it’s about valuing, respecting, and retaining police officers.”
What the Police Take Home is Criminal, demanding urgent government action to address police pay and safeguard the future of policing.
WHY WE’RE FIGHTING THIS BATTLE Since 2010, police officers have seen
their pay drop by 21 per cent in real terms. Despite working long, unpredictable hours, many officers are struggling to pay their bills. Some report cutting back on essentials, while others take on second jobs to survive. Shockingly, some are even relying on food banks to feed their families. This issue extends beyond
personal finances—it impacts public safety. Exhausted, demoralised, and financially stretched officers cannot
perform their duties effectively. The Government has consistently failed to address this crisis, focusing on recruitment while neglecting the crucial issue of retention. “Every day we do fantastic work with the Government and policing
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