Nearly half of rank and file officers worry about the state of their personal finances almost every day, a survey has revealed.

The annual pay and morale survey from the Police Federation of England and Wales reveals that some 45 per cent of officers think about their poor cash levels either daily or close to that.

Another 47 per cent say they worry about the cost of living occasionally.

And 88 per cent say they are not fairly paid considering the stresses and strains of their job.

A spokesman for the staff association said: “This has never been more relevant after the government’s recent announcement of a derisory two per cent pay increase for police, which in real terms amounts to an uplift of just 0.85 per cent.

"In real terms officers’ pay has now decreased by around 18 per cent since 2009/10.”

Some 72 per cent of officers were dissatisfied with their overall pay, with eight per cent taking on second jobs to top up their police remuneration.

John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Our members are under immense pressure to deliver, with dwindling resources and rising crime, particularly violent crime, leading to a demand for our services that has never been higher. All they want is to be adequately paid for the job that they do.

“We know officers are struggling and some have had to resort to food vouchers and other welfare schemes. This clearly cannot be right or acceptable that those employed to keep the public safe cannot make ends meet or put food on tables for their families.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We are grateful to all police officers for the incredible job they do – and will continue to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.

“The police pay award for 2018/19 represents the highest consolidated pay award since 2010. And the number of people joining police forces is at a 10 year high which demonstrates policing is still a desirable and sought-after career.”

She pointed out that more than half of police constables earn more than £39,000 a year.