North Yorkshire Police lost 250,000 sickness hours last year
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 12:19 · Archive
North Yorkshire Police lost almost 250,000 working hours to sickness during 2025/26, with psychological ill health accounting for 38.6 per cent of absences.
North Yorkshire Police lost almost 246,822 working hours to sickness during 2025/26. Psychological ill health accounted for just 12.2 per cent of all absences but was responsible for 38.6 per cent of all working hours lost to sickness. The force has some of the highest levels of long-term police officer sickness compared with other forces.
A report going before the York and North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on 14 October identified high levels of long-term sickness as a continuing workforce challenge, alongside retaining experienced officers and specialist staff. The report states: 'High levels of long-term sickness, competition from external employers and the retention of specialist expertise remain key workforce risks.' North Yorkshire Police currently has 1,674 police officers and 125 PCSOs, with an overall workforce of 3,147 including officers, staff, PCSOs and Special Constables.
The force has a relatively young officer workforce, with 51.9 per cent aged under 41. While recent recruitment provides a strong foundation for future staffing, it has created challenges in specialist and investigative roles where experience and supervisory skills are particularly important. North Yorkshire Police says it has measures in place to support staff wellbeing and reduce the impact of sickness, with its 2025/26 Wellbeing Pledge focused on mental fitness and resilience, covering stress awareness, burnout prevention, self-care and mental health.
How it is being reported
- North Yorkshire Police loses almost 250,000 hours to sickness amid absence concernsAlmost 250,000 working hours were lost to sickness at North Yorkshire Police last year amid concerns over comparatively high levels of long-term absence.Darlington & Stockton Times · 9 Oct, 12:00
- North Yorkshire Police loses almost 250,000 hours to sickness amid absence concernsAlmost 250,000 working hours were lost to sickness at North Yorkshire Police last year amid concerns over comparatively high levels of long-term absence.The Northern Echo · 9 Oct, 12:00
In this story: North Yorkshire Police · York and North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel · North Yorkshire
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