Latest news with #PFEW
Business News Wales
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Business News Wales
New National Chair of Police Federation of England and Wales Announced
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the staff association representing more than 145,000 rank-and-file police officers, has announced that Tiff Lynch has been elected as the next National Chair. Nominations for the role of National Chair officially closed at midnight on 18 June 2025. At the close of the nomination period, Tiff was the unanimous choice of the Federation to assume the role and becomes just the second female Chair in the PFEW's 106 year history. She will formally assume the role on 1 July. On behalf of the National Board and National Council Mukund Krishna, CEO of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: 'During her time on the National Board – particularly as Acting Chair – Tiff has demonstrated unwavering commitment to fighting for police officers across the country. She is one of their own and has always stood firmly in their corner. Her leadership is rooted in authenticity, integrity, and a deep understanding of the challenges our members face on the frontline. 'I congratulate Tiff on her election as National Chair – a role I know she will approach with the same passion and purpose she has shown throughout her career. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure that the voice of our police officers is not only heard but acted upon in the months and years ahead.' Tiff Lynch, National Chair Elect of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: 'I am incredibly proud and honoured to become National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales. Police officers put their lives on the line, and it is indefensible that pay has fallen in real terms by a fifth since 2010. In addition to driving forward the Copped Enough campaign, which is demanding full pay restoration and an independent pay machinery with binding arbitration, I will fight for improved health and wellbeing care, workload reform to stop burnout, and full and proper enforcement of the Police Covenant so that it makes a positive difference supporting police officers and their families. 'Policing has become an easy target for politicians, the media, and armchair critics. That ends here. I will challenge damaging narratives, confront poor legislation, and ensure police officers' voices are heard where it matters. I will defend the profession, challenging government and chief officers alike, and I will not allow the courage, commitment, and professionalism of police officers to be undermined by cheap headlines, scapegoating, or political agendas. 'My purpose as National Chair is simple: to stand up for police officers and lead with a clear focus; to be bold, unapologetic, and relentless in fighting for fair pay and better conditions; to protect what matters; to improve what's not working; and to make sure the Federation stays relevant and strong in the face of ongoing challenges. It's not just about being seen; it's about getting things done. I look forward to working with members across the country and Mukund Krishna and his management team to achieve those aims.' Tiff joined Leicestershire Police in 1995. Throughout her policing career, she has specialised in firearms, tactical support and frontline as a general response and beat officer. Her Federation career started in 2007 with progression to the post of Chair of Leicestershire's Constables Committee (2011-2014); Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation (2014-2018); and National Board member of the Police Federation of England and Wales (2018-present). Nationally, Tiff has led on conduct and performance and parliamentary engagement, lobbying for the organisation – with membership and representation always at the core. Tiff was elected as the Deputy National Chair and assumed office from 1 June 2022. She has been carrying out duties as the Acting National Chair since 19 September 2024 seeking to drive forward the Federation's priorities and strategy for 2028.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police Federation pays £15m to officers hit by cyber attack
The Police Federation has paid out £15 million to 19,000 current and former officers who had their personal details compromised and stolen by cyber criminals. Two huge attacks exposed the home addresses of some officers to hackers six years ago, and in March 2022 the federation admitted liability for unlawfully processing officers' personal details by not having proper protection in place. The attacks sparked panic among rank and file officers who feared their safety had been compromised. The federation has admitted that two recently settled group actions 'have had an enormous impact on the finances and assets of the PFEW (Police Federation of England and Wales) and the organisation could not withstand a further claim of this nature'. Hackers accessed Police Federation systems and encrypted several of its databases during the attacks, making them inaccessible. Now the organisation, which represents 145,000 rank and file officers, has agreed to settle the claim for £15 million, inclusive of legal and insurance costs. It had been claimed that the names, email addresses, National Insurance numbers and ranks of around 120,000 police officers had been exposed. A source said: 'This is a huge settlement. It caused huge concern among rank and file police officers up and down the country.' The settlement had been revealed by Monckton Chambers, the law firm. Mukund Krishna, the chief executive officer of the Police Federation, said it was his priority to resolve the two historic action claims that 'hung over the organisation' when he became CEO in July 2023. He added: 'At the end of last year, we agreed a settlement following the employment tribunal ruling against us regarding pension discrimination. 'I am now pleased to say that we have settled the data protection claims brought against PFEW by just under 20,000 members and former members. This claim followed two separate cyber attacks suffered by the federation over six years ago. 'The federation has taken the pragmatic view that settlement of the litigation is in the best interests of both the federation and its members. 'The negotiation of these settlements has required a huge amount of detailed work but will, collectively, provide the federation with much greater financial certainty going forward. This outcome will also allow PFEW to move on and focus all our efforts on transforming the organisation and serving the membership.' A total of £15 million will be paid in stages, which covers all 19,159 claims for damages but also includes legal costs, expenses and the costs of insurance cover. The federation said it did not know how much each claimant would receive from the settlement sum, which is a matter for agreement between the claimants and KP Law, their solicitors. The organisation acknowledged that with almost 20,000 claims, its potential exposure to damages alone was significantly greater than £15 million. In addition to this, it was exposed to many millions of legal costs – both the claimants' costs and its own. It added that 'this financial uncertainty represented a very real threat to PFEW and its ability to move forward'. The federation said it would dispute any further claims that had not been included in the settlement. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
South Wales Argus
26-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Assaults on Gwent police officers at three-year high
More than 1,600 officers from Gwent Police have been injured while on duty over the past three years, according to new data. The number of injuries has increased yearly, with assaults now consisting of 77 per cent of all injuries. The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) representing police officers has stated that these continuous assaults are pushing forces "to breaking point." Data obtained by Accident at Work Claim UK through freedom of information requests indicate that 1,650 Gwent police officers were injured while working between 2022 and 2024. Of this total, injuries resulting from assault made up 1,272, with other types of injuries accounting for 378. Other causes of injuries can include handling, lifting or carrying, injuries by animals, contact with moving vehicles, and exposure to harmful substances. The year 2024 recorded a total of 773 police officer injuries, a shocking rise of 168 per cent compared to the 288 injuries reported in 2022. Assault injuries have also shown a steep increase, rising 156 per cent from 234 in 2022 to 599 in 2024. These alarming figures have sparked renewed calls for improved workplace safety measures and support services. Earlier this month, the PFEW launched the 'Copped Enough Campaign', a national effort to advocate for fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect for police officers. A PFEW spokesperson highlighted the urgent need for this campaign. The PFEW spokesperson said: "Thirty-two officers are violently assaulted every day—and the numbers are rising. "The police officers who protect communities are being pushed to breaking point. "Enough is enough." Recent incidents of assault on police and prison officers have amplified national concern about the safety of frontline officers. Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi supposedly threw hot cooking oil over officers at HMP Franklin in County Durham on April 5, according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA). On May 8, convicted Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana allegedly heated water in his cell at HMP Belmarsh and subsequently threw it at an officer. Solicitor Bev Faulkner, speaking to Accident at Work Claim UK, mentioned that it is possible for officers to bring compensation claims if employer negligence results in an accident and injuries. She said: "The Police Force cannot sack you, discipline you for bringing a claim against them, prevent you from being promoted or demote you." Accident at Work Claim UK provides a 24-hour helpline and live chat service for police officers and staff who have suffered an injury at work. Chief Constable Mark Hobrough of Gwent Police made it clear that such assaults are "completely unacceptable". Chief Constable Hobrough said: "Nobody expects to be assaulted while carrying out their job, and that applies to police officers, all members of the emergency services, health workers, and prison staff too. "These assaults are completely unacceptable but all too often I see the devastating impact these attacks have on my colleagues. "Our officers are more than their uniform—they are members of our community, they are parents, siblings, and friends, who love and are loved."
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Police 'Exodus of Experience' to Cost £10bn and Risk Public Safety, Federation Warns
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), which represents more than 145,000 rank-and-file police officers, has warned that a 'broken' police service of underpaid, overworked, and under threat people risks a public safety crisis. New analysis from the PFEW shows that policing faces an exodus of experienced officers which stands to cost the taxpayer almost £10 billion over the next five years. Responding to the Federation's annual Pay and Morale survey of members, a quarter of officers say they plan to resign within two years. Voluntary resignations have risen 142% since 2018 and if this trend continues, 10,000 officers will resign every year by 2027, forcing the government to spend £9.9 billion on recruiting and training replacement officers just to stand still. On International Workers' Day, the Police Federation of England and Wales is launching Copped Enough: What the Police Take Home is Criminal, a hard-hitting campaign which aims to expose the 'crisis in policing that is endangering officers' lives and livelihoods and threatening public safety across the country'. PFEW Acting National Chair Tiff Lynch said: 'Our members run towards danger every day before taking the burdens of that work home to their families with them. What they take home – salary cut by a fifth in real terms within a generation and more trauma and stress than virtually any other worker in the country – is criminal. 'Police officers are overworked, underpaid, and under threat. We need properly-funded urgent action to stop the mass exodus of experienced officers which is putting public safety at risk. You can't have safe communities without enough police, and you can't have enough police if poor pay and poor care drives them away.' Police officers do not have the right to strike. The campaign calls on the public to support police and their families by joining a 'digital picket line' in protest.
