Police burnt out by extra demands, says chief inspector

01.07.2022, 02:44 thetimes.co.uk

Police officers are being burnt out from having to fill gaps left by other struggling public services, the force inspector has said. Craig Naylor, the chief inspector of constabulary, said there had been a worrying rise in 999 calls to police that had nothing to do with law and order. In his first annual report, Naylor said that cuts and shortages in other public services had left the public with nowhere else to turn. Many support services suffered during the pandemic, particularly mental health services, and police have been forced to pick up the slack. Some health services have been cut to 9-5 weekday services, and police officers are expected to fill the void overnight and at weekends. Naylor said: “We heard from many police