Global Courant
LONDON
Nearly 27% of London police officers miss a meal, while 8% visit a food bank due to rising costs, according to a new survey released on Thursday.
Research conducted this February and March by Metfriendly, a financial service of the Metropolitan Police, found that most police officers are in worse shape than they were six months ago.
According to the survey, which questioned about 3,200 police officers and staff on duty, the financial concerns of respondents rose from 74% to 86% in August 2022.
Last year, the proportion of people who skipped meals due to lack of money increased from 22% to 27%, while access to food banks increased from 6% to 8%.
Meanwhile, 75% of responding police officers think their finances will worsen over the next 12 months.
“In terms of what respondents do for a living: 60% of respondents work overtime to make a living, 26% have a second job, 40% sell their belongings, 37% are considering changing jobs and leaving. Policing” according to the results.
The study also found that the impact of rising housing costs, whether mortgages or rent, is more frequently cited than previous research.
Police officers and staff come to work hungry, stressed, and worried about their family’s future finances.
‘Food is sometimes a luxury right now’
“I am now in a position where I have to work O/T (overtime) to afford any ‘extras’, I have nowhere to move and I am fighting to save. I shouldn’t live to work and I feel like the Police did this. I was unfairly targeted for lack of pay raises” , the words of one participant were quoted in the survey.
Another police officer said: “The overall increase in gas, electricity and other household bills has put a huge strain on our finances. I choose to buy groceries or follow the bills. I choose to pay all the bills.” being paid, food is sometimes a luxury right now.”
“After tax, pension, rent, utility bills etc, I have about £300 ($378) a month to live on. This has to cover all my food, travel, socializing and is not a comfortable amount, especially considering the job I do.”
“I can’t pay full daycare fees for children under 3 years old, and I didn’t eat a few times because my priority was to feed the kids. Because I prefer my kids to be well-fed and well-fed, and I’d skip a few meals for that,” one respondent said.
On the findings, Commissioner Mark Rowley said, “It cannot be right for the police officers to turn to food banks, run into unsustainable debts and choose not to eat to survive,” said Commissioner Mark Rowley. pay your bills.”
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