A recent morale survey found one in six officers are looking to leave Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The December 2020 survey conducted by the police federation found that Hertfordshire officers have recorded the lowest levels of personal moral.

A total of 56 per cent of Hertfordshire respondents said their morale was low or very low, the highest figure in the 43 police forces in England and Wales, with the national average at 48 per cent.

In addition, 74 per cent of Hertfordshire officers who responded to the survey felt morale in the force was low or very low, nationally it was at 75 per cent.

How police were treated, pay and benefits and workload and responsibilities were among the reasons why morale was low.

Sam North, the Liberal Democrat Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, has used these statistics to express the need for urgent action under the police force.

He said: “As a former police officer, I know the strain that the police are currently under and the difficulties that both officers and staff face. This survey demonstrates with absolute clarity that change must come to Hertfordshire Police, and it must start at the very top. It is no longer good enough to overlook the needs of the officers and staff who work tirelessly, risking their lives daily to protect ours.”

The survey also found that across England and Wales, 59 per cent of those polled would not advocate joining the police – despite a national drive to hire 20,000 officers.

The Lib Dem candidate continued: “While I have every faith that Hertfordshire will be able to recruit the officers needed, retention of those officers is going to be an enormous challenge particularly when 1 in 6 officers are already looking to leave.”

The candidate explained that positive steps would be giving frontline officers access to the Covid-19 vaccine, provide better training, fairer pay and providing “equipment that works”.

In response, current Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: "It is disappointing that Sam should open his campaign with what is implicitly a call for the Chief Constable to be removed, particularly at a time when all our efforts need to be focussed on dealing with this national crisis.

“The Chief responded to this survey when it first came out last year and I have full confidence in the actions he has taken and in his excellent leadership of the force.

“The fact that we continue to have record numbers of applicants as we continue the rapid uplift in officer numbers suggests Hertfordshire Constabulary continues to be regarded as a high performing force and a good place to work."