The link to the national survey, our first on routine arming in over a decade, has been sent via email directly to our 123,000 members across England and Wales via their Police National Network (PNN) email accounts.

Emma Carter, Secretary of Bedfordshire Police Federation is urging all officers to complete the 5 minute survey.

Che Donald, our national lead for firearms, said: “The routine arming of police officers has attracted much speculation and attention from our members, the public and the media, as highlighted recently following the cowardly acts of terror committed in the UK.

"The police service has also seen significant reductions in officer numbers resulting in many working in isolation or single crewed, increasing the risks to them personally.

“Policing has changed significantly over recent years, not just around the types of crime we are dealing with and greater use of technology, but also the threat, harm and risk to the public and our officers.

"This survey seeks to determine the views of our members to inform our position on the issue of routine arming. Over the last few years a handful of forces have been surveyed individually on this issue, but we are keen to establish a fresh national view.”

In 2006, the PFEW surveyed over 141,000 police officers on issues including safety, training, workload and routine arming:

  • 55.3% of responders stated that they were fairly satisfied that armed support was readily available should they require it;
  • 18.5% felt that all police officers should receive appropriate training and be armed on duty but not off duty; and
  • 47.3% felt that firearms should not be issued to all police officers, but more officers should receive appropriate training and be issued with firearms as and when necessary.
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