POLICE RESIGNATIONS UP BY 83%

3.09.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Jul 2007

Police Officer resignations have risen by a staggering 83% in Hampshire over the last four years according to recently released figures.

The figures, which were in a Parliamentary Answer by Tony McNulty, are part of a worrying national trend, says Local Liberal Democrat Sandra Gidley.

Commenting Sandra said

"The citizens of Hampshire will understandably be worried by this massive increase in police officer resignations.

"This news comes at a time when violent crime in Southampton and Portsmouth is nearly twice the national average. The police are the vital front line in the fight against crime and disorder, and the government needs to recognise this.

"Government targets and red tape are increasingly frustrating police officers. The government needs to address this surge in resignations and take steps before the situation becomes any worse.

"Recent drives to increase police recruitment will be a waste of money if experienced police officers are leaving the force in droves. Society can ill- afford to lose expensively trained, experienced police officers.

Ends

Notes to Editors

2007 Health Profile - Southampton

http://www.communityhealthprofiles.info/profiles/hp2007/lo_res/00MS-HP2007.pdf

2007 Health Profile - Portsmouth

http://www.communityhealthprofiles.info/profiles/hp2007/lo_res/00MR-HP2007.pdf

The figures are from the following Parliamentary Answer:

<http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-07-09a.147894.h&s=speaker%3A11475#g147894.q0>

See attached table for a full breakdown of the figures for resignations.