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26
Sept
Sharp hike in number of North Yorks Police officers signed off due to stress
The number of North Yorkshire Police officers signed off work due to stress has seen a sharp increase over the last five years.
A freedom of information request to the force revealed the total number of absences has more than doubled since 2020.
The FOI request sought the number of officers who were signed off sick due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over the last five financial years (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025).
The request asked the force to break down the numbers by year.
According to the data, 52 officers were signed off in 2020/21 because of stress. The number increased to 81 in the 2021/22 financial year, 94 in 2022/23 and 113 the year after.
A total of 144 officers were signed off sick due to stress in the last financial year.
Work-related stress absences have also shot up, jumping from just 13 in 2020/21 to 50 in the 2024/25 financial year.
You can find the full breakdown of the figures below.
The full breakdown of figures from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2025.
‘Policing is a demanding and stressful occupation’
The Stray Ferret covers local court cases every week and frequently reports on cases of North Yorkshire Police officers being assaulted on duty.
There is nothing to suggest such assaults are linked to the absences, but, when we approached the force for comment, we asked if it believes there is any particular reason behind the hike in officer absences.
A police spokesperson said:
Policing is a demanding and stressful occupation with direct exposure to trauma and grief. That is why the physical and mental wellbeing of our officers and staff is hugely important to our chief officer team and senior managers.
We have a dedicated wellbeing team which actively promotes support services and activities to enhance wellbeing throughout the year. We also use trauma risk management referrals when our colleagues have been dealing with particularly upsetting incidents and investigations.
Ultimately, the healthier and happier our officers and staff are, the better they will be able to serve our communities across North Yorkshire and York.
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