On Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster heard evidence from the PSNI as well a number of bodies representing local police officers and staff.

Commenting afterwards, the DUP MP said, “Being a police officer in Northern Ireland takes courage, not least because of the enduring threat from dissident republicans. Every officer and employee takes their personal security extremely seriously. In return, they expect the Service to have their back. 

Sadly, the PSNI failed in this duty of care in recent days. Consecutive data breaches and confirmation through the courts that officers were unlawfully disciplined to placate Sinn Fein have been a hammer blow to morale. Many officers and their families are now wondering what the future looks like for them both inside and outside the organisation. Indeed, there is likely to be a chill factor in police recruitment and retention as a result.

Restoring trust will be a long and arduous process but that process must start now. However, none of this can be treated in isolation from the enormous financial pressures facing the PSNI. We know now that at least an additional £230-£240m would be needed on top of the current police budget every year to restart recruitment and deliver the many improvements necessary. 

It is deeply disappointing that the Secretary of State has chosen not to engage with the Police Federation and other staff bodies in relation to the current pressures. Ultimately, it will be officers and staff who bear the burden of doing more with less through no fault of their own. Many are desperately seeking assurances they will receive additional support with security - on top of longstanding concerns about pay and conditions.

Chris Heaton-Harris would be wrong to bury his head in the sand or use this crisis to score political points. We are funded below need and only the Government has the financial firepower to correct this. As Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation, said today:

‘‘This is a crisis…Even if we re-form the Northern Ireland Executive that money is not within the coffers of Stormont to allocate to policing. That’s a reality - so we need Westminster and the UK Government to step in here and assist with this.’’

It is high time the Government heeded this warning. It is time for the Secretary of State to step in and step up to the mark in the interests of our dedicated police officers and the communities they serve.’’