Farron - new figures reveal local police officers’ mental health being stretched to breaking point over cuts

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said he is "hugely concerned" by new figures which show that thousands of sick days are being taken by police officers who, according to the Cumbria Police Federation, are overworked and overstressed due to government cuts.

Freedom of Information figures from Cumbria Police show that officers in the county took over 5,000 sick days over the past year.

According to the FOI figures, the cost of this to the taxpayer was over £800,000.

Tim said: "The Government's decision to plough ahead with dangerous cuts to police budgets, has left local officers with being asked to do more and more with less resources.

"The shortages are affecting the health of officers and these new figures are a huge concern.

"Speaking to the Cumbria Police Federation, cuts to police numbers mean local officers are being completely run off their feet, with the mental health of many being stretched to breaking point."