POLICE are calling in sick in record numbers — with the equivalent of more than 4,000 off every day.
Home Office figures reveal 1.63million officer working days were lost to illness or injury in the year to March 2025.
The figure — the highest ever — is up nine per cent in a year and nearly 60 per cent higher than during the pandemic, when absence levels dropped sharply during lockdowns.
Data released under Freedom of Information laws showed five per cent of all police working days were lost to sickness.
Insiders blamed overstretched forces and attacks on officers.
The Police Federation has reported increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Greater Manchester Police and Cleveland were the worst forces for absence, with 6.3 per cent of officer time lost.
They were followed by South Wales and Sussex.
Leicestershire Police recorded the lowest rate, at 3.6 per cent.
John O’Connell, of campaigners The TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “These figures are a clear sign that Britain’s police forces are overstretched, burnt out and failing to deliver the basics that taxpayers fund.”
“When five per cent of all police time is lost to sickness, it’s obvious the system isn’t working.
“Forces need to cut back-office bloat, address the causes of stress and burnout, and get officers back on the streets.”
A Police Federation spokesperson, said: “Policing in 2025 is a service that is breaking the people whose bravery and dedication protects communities across the country every day.
“Police officers are exposed to hundreds of traumatic incidents every year and every incident leaves its mark.
“With assaults on officers at record levels and the job getting more dangerous, these figures are not surprising.
“What is shocking is the record number of police officers- nearly 9,000 a year – who are resigning from policing before the job breaks them.
“More than 18 officers die by suicide every year. Policing needs to fix its leadership and create healthy workplaces where officers can thrive.
“Bad pay, worse morale and the challenge of working in conditions where every shift ends late and rest days are cancelled regularly are contributary factors to sickness absence.”
