NEWS
is emotional as well as physical, with officers exposed to trauma while working long shifts away from their own families.
COUNTER-TERRORISM AND NATIONAL SECURITY Christmas also requires vigilance against terrorism. Counter Terrorism Policing’s annual winter campaign urges the public to stay alert at Christmas markets, concerts, and shopping centres, encouraging people to report anything suspicious. Officers must balance visible reassurance patrols with covert intelligence work, adding another layer of responsibility to already stretched resources. The festive season’s crowded spaces present opportunities for those intent on harm, and policing must adapt accordingly.
and time away from loved ones. The Police Federation has raised concerns about wellbeing, noting that shift work, workload, and exposure to violence contribute to burnout. Officers willingly expose themselves to risk, but the festive period magnifies the pressures. The strain is compounded by workforce realities. Despite recruitment drives, Home Office statistics show ongoing challenges in maintaining visible neighbourhood policing. Officers often sacrifice family time to cover festive
“Christmas is a season of joy for communities, but for policing it is a season of resilience. ”
THE HUMAN COST OF POLICING CHRISTMAS Behind the statistics lies the human strain on officers. Police Care UK’s 2024 “Thank You” campaign reminded the public that an officer is assaulted on average every ten minutes in the UK. Christmas, far from being a time of rest, often means long shifts, exposure to trauma,
06 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2025
demand, embodying resilience and commitment to public service. The combination of national
campaigns, local initiatives, and rising demand creates a resourcing challenge. Forces must allocate officers to roadside enforcement, domestic incident response, public order patrols, and counter-terror vigilance simultaneously. Recruitment drives have helped, but maintaining visible neighbourhood
policing remains difficult. Officers often sacrifice family time to cover festive demand, embodying resilience and commitment to public service. Christmas is a season of joy for
communities, but for policing it is a season of resilience. National operations like Operation Limit combine with local campaigns such as Operation Shepherd and Operation Christmas Presence to manage drink driving, retail crime, domestic abuse, and public safety. Officers across England and Wales sacrifice family time and endure long shifts to ensure communities can celebrate safely. Their work exemplifies the adaptability and dedication of UK policing under the unique strain of Christmas. The festive season magnifies the challenges of policing: increased
demand, heightened risk, and emotional strain. Yet it also highlights the values of the profession: professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public safety. Whether patrolling crowded markets, stopping impaired drivers, or safeguarding victims of domestic abuse, officers embody resilience. Their work ensures that communities can celebrate safely, even as the strain grows heavier each year.
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