Two-thirds of Avon and Somerset officers 'too fatigued'

Stark findings from the Police Federation of England and Wales' 2026 Pay and Morale Report have highlighted concerns among officers serving communities across Avon and Somerset over staffing, workload, pay and wellbeing.

Half of respondents said they had been physically attacked by a member of the public during the previous year, as the police force respond to the concerns raised by officers in the county.

91% of Somerset police surveyed "do not feel fairly paid"

The survey received responses from 366 Avon and Somerset Police officers, representing around 10 per cent of the force's 3,629 serving officers.

Of those responding, 66 per cent said they had been too fatigued to carry out their duties, while 56 per cent said they had felt unsafe on duty because of staffing levels during the previous three months.

Pay emerged as another major concern in the Federation survey, with 91 per cent of respondents saying they did not feel fairly paid for the stresses and strains of the job.

Officers surveyed also raised concerns about the ability of the force to effectively manage demands.

The survey also found 65 per cent were not confident the force could resource day-to-day operational demands appropriately, while 70 per cent believed the force relied heavily on officer goodwill to meet routine operational demands.

Low morale as nearly 1 in 5 surveyed Somerset officers plan on quitting

Morale was another significant concern for local officers, with 70 per cent saying they did not feel valued within policing, and 65 per cent saying they would not recommend joining the service.

Just 33 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with their job, while 18 per cent said they intended to resign either within the next two years or as soon as they could.

However, wider workforce figures provide some context to the findings.

As of August 2026, Avon and Somerset had the sixth-lowest officer turnover rate over the previous 12 months, compared to the 42 other police forces in England and Wales.

The findings prompted a warning that officers are being asked to do "more and more with less and less" (Image: Newsquest staff)

"The current model is unsustainable," Police Federation say

The results from the voluntary survey, run nationwide by the Police Federation of England and Wales, also painted a concerning picture of officers' wellbeing.

Some 78 per cent said they had experienced stress, low mood or anxiety during the previous 12 months, while 65 per cent rated the force's support for officers and their wellbeing as inadequate or requiring improvement.

Tom Gent, chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, said: “For years, police officers have absorbed increasing demands while seeing the value of their pay decline and the pressures of the job continue to grow.

"This survey makes clear that many officers feel they are being asked to do more and more with less and less."

Mr Gent said the government, chief officers and policing leaders must take the concerns raised by the survery seriously.

He added: “Police officers will put victims first and they will always answer the call but when 70% of officers believe their force relies heavily on goodwill to meet routine operational demands it should serve as a warning that the current model is unsustainable.

"Behind every percentage in this report is a police officer trying to balance the demands of the job with family life, financial pressures and their own wellbeing. They deserve better than simply being thanked for their sacrifices.”

"Entirely unacceptable for officers to be assaulted or abused," force says

Responding to the findings from the survey, Avon and Somerset Police said it acknowledged concerns about workload and welfare, and is working with the local Police Federation branch to address the concerns raised.

A spokesperson said: “Chief officers and senior leaders welcome feedback and hold regular sessions for officers and police staff to raise concerns with them directly.

“At a time of steadily increasing demand, more complex investigations and financial constraint, we acknowledge concerns about workload and welfare and are working with the local Police Federation Branch to find solutions.

“We’ve consulted with officers and staff across our organisation and are implementing changes to help to reduce these pressures, however we recognise that improvements will not be seen straight away.

“These changes include introducing new technology and realigning teams to work geographically.”

Support available to officers includes mental health first aiders, an occupational health unit, trauma-informed educators and a Trauma Risk Management Programme.

There is also a chaplaincy service, wellbeing vans and dogs through Oscar Kilo, and wellbeing rooms in police stations and offices.

The force spokesperson added: “Our recently updated employee assistance programme provides 24/7 support for officers, staff and their immediate families on a wide range of issues including physical and mental ill health, finances, caring for relatives and bereavement.

"The provider also offers advice on staying well mentally and physically."

Regarding the half of Somerset officers who told the survey they'd been physically attacked in the past year, the force said: “It is entirely unacceptable for officers to be assaulted or abused while on duty and we have robust policies and procedures in place to support them and prosecute those responsible, as appropriate."

“Pay and conditions for police officers are negotiated nationally," the spokesperson added.