SUSSEX Police have moved to reassure officers after a Police Federation survey claimed more than half had “low morale”.

Adrian Rutherford, peoples’ services director for the force, said police leadership was “alleviating some of the pressures” on officers by welcoming more than 200 recruits by next March.

Poor

More than 54 per cent of officers responding to the Police Federation survey said they had low morale.

And almost nine in ten felt the force’s morale was either poor or very poor.

Mr Rutherford said: “Our police officers undertake a demanding and often dangerous role; ensuring that we keep Sussex safe and protect the most vulnerable from harm.

“We’re proud of the commitment and bravery that they demonstrate each and every day.

“We have seen our largest police officer recruitment drive in a decade, already welcoming 108 new officers into our organisation and on to the streets of our communities and a further 96 officers by the end of the financial year.”

The survey also revealed 79 per cent of officers were dissatisfied with their pay.

But Mr Rutherford said officers’ unhappiness was “not unique to Sussex”.

“Officers from across England and Wales share similar views and we agree that those who are keeping our country safe should be paid at the right levels,” he said.

“We hope that the respondents from this survey, and their viewpoints, will be listened to as a priority by whomever the future Government may be.

“We’ve also launched a wellbeing strategy which places officer and staff wellbeing at the heart of the organisation, ensuring we’re looking after our people mentally and physically, providing them with the support they may need.

“We will be looking closely at the findings of the survey alongside our own Employee Opinion survey.

“We wish to be an employer of choice.

“And will continue to work with our colleagues in the federation, as well as our own people, to ensure we’re doing all that we can to demonstrate the high value we place on our officers and staff and be the best employer that we can be.”

Sussex Police Federation secretary Simon Steele had said officers “no longer feel valued”.

“None of us do it for the money,” he said.

“But we all deserve to be respected and paid fairly.”