Police fears over summer riots as forces already ‘stretched to the maximum’
Violent protests taking ‘massive toll’ on police
- UK police forces are under immense pressure from violent protests, with warnings of a potential summer of unrest and concerns about officer welfare.
- Disturbances in Epping, outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, have cost Essex Police £100,000 and led to eight officers being injured.
- The Police Federation reports a significant rise in officers taking mental health leave and high resignation rates, attributing this to low morale, declining pay, and stretched resources.
- The redeployment of 1,500 officers to Scotland for Donald Trump's private visit is further straining police resources across the country.
- Political figures have commented on the situation, with Angela Rayner warning of more riots and Kemi Badenoch urging vigilance regarding social cohesion.