Police union warns figure will grow if cuts aren't reversed

POLICE overtime has soared to £85,000 a DAY amid warnings the single force is facing a “chronic” staff shortage.

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON Political Editor

The total taxpayer bill of £31.5million a year covers police officers and staff.

Official figures from May show 16,553 full-time equivalent officers, down from 17,496 in 2013.

Police union figures have warned the fall will lead to a rise in overtime needed.

According to figures published in 1919 Magazine, £28.15million was spent on overtime for officers in 2024-25, plus an additional £3.4million for police staff.

The combined £31.5million is a 10 per cent rise on the previous year.

Figures for the current year will not be known for some time but the costs of policing President Trump's visit are set to push up overtime costs again.