CUMBRIA Police Federation chairman Paul Williams fears that the lifting of Covid restrictions in England could lead to an ‘officer burnout’.

Monday will see the country’s coronavirus rules come to an end, as the government looks to reopen the whole of society again, but Mr Williams believes it could cause issues for the police force.

He said: “The full lifting of restrictions after such a long time will no doubt have some anticipated impact on policing.

“Policing is a busy, unpredictable job in normal times and what we have to remember in all of this is that Covid hasn’t gone away.

“I am aware that Cumbria Police’s chief officers have been preparing for some time with the approaching busy summer period, which is reassuring.

"I think there is a potential, however, for officer burnout with very small windows to take leave, and these restrictions lifting will no doubt increase public demand in policing.”