Latest news with #ThamesValleyPoliceFederation
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hundreds of Thames Valley Police off sick with mental health issues
Mental health issues resulted in 627 Thames Valley Police officers being signed off work last year. A Freedom of Information request found the officers were absent due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Aileen O'Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said she was not shocked by the figures, adding: "These numbers will continue to rise if forces don't properly address this."A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said the force was "committed to providing the right support at the right time". Figures collated from across the UK found more than 17,700 police officers were signed off for mental health reasons in the financial year of 2024-25. The federation explained this was up 22% from the previous year after gathering figures from 45 those, 33 reported an increased number of officers being signed off for mental ill O'Connor said the federation was in the process of reviewing Thames Valley Police's welfare and wellbeing services."I believe we do have gaps in this arena which I'm keen to work with the force to address," she said. 'Staff support networks' However, she said she was encouraged by the introduction of a new mental health crisis line for police officers and staff. In a statement, Thames Valley Police said it recognised that policing was a "demanding and often emotionally challenging profession". "Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our officers is a priority, and we are committed to providing the right support at the right time," a spokesperson said."Officers have access to a wide range of services, including occupational health, post-incident trauma support, staff support networks, mentoring, line manager and tutor support, and our multi-faith chaplaincy. "We continue to invest in these resources to ensure they meet the needs of our workforce."The Home Office has also been approached for comment. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Police officers 'struggling', Thames Valley federation says
The chair of a regional police federation has said officers are "struggling financially" after a Freedom of Information request revealed thousands of officers across the country were working second data showed more than 4,000 officers were approved for secondary employment in 2024, double the number recorded in O'Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said officers "need to be remunerated properly" for their Valley Police said the wellbeing of its officers was a "top priority". The force added that it "recognises the concern among officers regarding pay".The federation said police pay has fallen by 21% in real terms since 2010, leaving many officers "feeling they have no choice but to seek additional income".Thames Valley Police said it was unable to provide figures for how many officers had taken on extra work. 'Under more scrutiny' Ms O'Connor said the data showed "how significantly officers are struggling financially at a time when the service is already at breaking point"."Officers' workloads are increasing, performance targets are high, and officers are under more scrutiny now than before," she warned that public safety "could be affected if officers are not properly paid and rested"."Officers attend more traumatic incidents now more than ever, the demand on the frontline is increasing by the day," she said."This rest time allows them to look after their wellbeing, which is key for their long-term mental health."Brian Booth, the acting deputy chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), which requested the job figures, said police officers were "overworked, underpaid and under threat"."They should not have to finish a shift protecting the public and then work a second job just to pay their bills," he added. In a statement, Thames Valley Police said it offered a "range of financial wellbeing services and information to support our colleagues".It said this included access to financial assistance and education."Officers and staff are allowed to generate additional income, as long as it does not present a conflict of interests or impact their health, wellbeing or performance," the force Home Office declined a BBC request to comment. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Awards for officers shot at by man with a crossbow
Ten police officers who attended to a man armed with a crossbow have been presented with Thames Valley Police Federation 2025 Bravery Awards. On 10 May Jason King, 54, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was involved in an argument with a neighbour, who he stabbed in the stomach. When the unarmed officers arrived at the scene King shot at them with a crossbow out of his window, he later came out of his house and shot PC Curtis Foster in the leg. Aileen O'Connor, the chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said the officers displayed huge amounts of courage and prevented members of the public from being injured or killed. PC Foster recalled: "He's got the crossbow and he's pointing it, and he's running directly towards me. In that moment I completely froze. He had the biggest grin on his face and he was running towards me." He added that as he ran away from King he felt something hit the back of his leg and when he looked down there was a stream of blood. King then continued to chase after PC Foster towards a park as PC Parker-Graham evacuated families, including a mother and her two young children, to safety. Other officers provided first aid to the neighbour who had been stabbed. PC Mark Thompson let his police dog, Merlyn, chase after King who then shot at them but missed. Firearms officers PC Alexander Barker and PC Luke Wallis found King in the park hiding behind a tree and he was shot before receiving first aid to treat his wound. Sgt Ben Sarl located PC Foster and called paramedics to apply a tourniquet to his leg. PC Foster was taken to hospital and recovered and the man who was stabbed by King was treated in hospital for minor injuries and discharged the same day. King pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article. He is due to be sentenced in June. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Officers praised for response to crossbow shooting Man admits shooting police officer with crossbow Man charged after officer shot with crossbow Thames Valley Police Thames Valley Police Federation
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Officers who dealt with man with crossbow given bravery awards
Ten police officers who attended to a man armed with a crossbow have been presented with Thames Valley Police Federation 2025 Bravery 10 May Jason King, 54, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was involved in an argument with a neighbour, who he stabbed in the the unarmed officers arrived at the scene King shot at them with a crossbow out of his window, he later came out of his house and shot PC Curtis Foster in the O'Connor, the chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said the officers displayed huge amounts of courage and prevented members of the public from being injured or killed. PC Foster recalled: "He's got the crossbow and he's pointing it, and he's running directly towards me. In that moment I completely froze. He had the biggest grin on his face and he was running towards me."He added that as he ran away from King he felt something hit the back of his leg and when he looked down there was a stream of then continued to chase after PC Foster towards a park as PC Parker-Graham evacuated families, including a mother and her two young children, to officers provided first aid to the neighbour who had been stabbed. PC Mark Thompson let his police dog, Merlyn, chase after King who then shot at them but missed. Firearms officers PC Alexander Barker and PC Luke Wallis found King in the park hiding behind a tree and PC Wallis shot him before using first aid to treat his Ben Sarl located PC Foster and called paramedics to apply a tourniquet to his leg. PC Foster was taken to hospital and recovered and the man who was stabbed by King was treated in hospital for minor injuries and discharged the same day. King pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article. He is due to be sentenced in June. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- BBC News
Milton Keynes police officers get bravery awards over knife attack
Two police officers who tackled a knifeman who was attacking a family have been honoured with bravery Sophie McDiarmid and Sgt Chris Smith responded to a call that said a man was threatening members of the public on Savoy Crescent in central Milton Keynes at about 21:30 GMT on 3 February the pair were on their way, it was declared a firearms incident, but the two officers only carried a taser and it was ineffective, so they had to physically restrain officers have been recognised with a Thames Valley Police Federation 2025 Bravery Award, which they will officially receive this Thursday. When they got there, PC McDiarmid recalled: "We saw the man physically lunging at a group of people and with the knife, towards a young child."Chris said 'pull up short, I'm going to run at him'. Both of us jumped out of the car and heard a piercing scream from a woman."They ran towards the man and Sgt Smith used his taser twice, but it had limited the help of two members of the public, they then tackled the man was arrested and PC McDiarmid provided medical care to the said: "I was concerned he could have a stab wound as he was going in and out of consciousness and wasn't making any sense."The 19-year-old knifeman was jailed for 11 years. 'Well deserved' PC McDiarmid said they had had to react quickly without thinking of the consequences, and she was "shocked" to receive the award."If you start thinking, you'll hesitate, which means you're not going to deal with what you need to deal with," she said."Initially I just thought we were in the right place at the right time and did what every other officer would have done."But when you start talking with people, especially non-police friends, they're like, 'Are you OK? You've just run at someone who'd got a knife'."Sgt Smith said that having "stopped a family of three, enjoying a night out, from being murdered was reward enough".Their local Police Federation chairwoman Aileen O'Connor added the pair were "incredibly brave" and "very deserving" of the Police Federation is a professional association that represents officers up to the rank of chief inspector. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
