Police officers in North Yorkshire fear that lack of back-up due to staff sickness is putting their lives at risk, according to a leaked internal survey.

The report, seen by the Evening Press, also shows that low morale among both officers and support staff continues to dog the force.

The staff opinion survey confirms the level of discontent throughout the ranks with senior management in the wake of North Yorkshire police's extensive restructuring.

And it highlights concerns at the lack of action against officers who take long periods off work due to sickness or who retire due to ill health - then continue to indulge in physical pursuits.

In an attempt to dissuade officers from taking sick leave, the report recommends the force considers offering incentives - such as an extra day's leave - to officers who take no sick leave in a given period.

The disclosure comes just days after a damning Home Office report on the county's fire service was also leaked to the Evening Press.

The police survey shows that staff agree with the public that there should be more officers on the streets.

Morale remains a problem, with a huge 84 per cent stating that morale was low. The report says there is a "significantly increased perception of low morale than previously".

A police source said: "I have never seen officers so demoralised and disgruntled as they are now.

"Many of the people I have dealt with say they would leave if given the chance."

Three-quarters of those who took part in the survey said they did not feel taxpayers' money was being spent wisely.

They complained in particular that money is being wasted on large-scale disciplinary hearings and on company cars for senior officers.

And nearly eight out of ten of officers surveyed said they did not have confidence in the force's executive; they felt it was "too far removed from reality".

A majority of the 924 staff who responded to the survey felt the force was failing to achieve its targets of reducing the fear of crime, reducing incidents of disorder, steering more cash towards front-line operations and improving workplace attendance.

On a more positive note, fewer officers were subjected to bullying or discriminatory behaviour than in the previous year, and staff took pride in their work, their achievements and the service.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said the survey had been carried out against a backdrop of huge change and reorganisation within the force.

"The force will not discuss an internal document before it is released to its own staff for whose benefit the exercise has been undertaken," he said.

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