Coronavirus threatens police investigations as forces brace for fifth of officers to be off

Plans drawn up will see less serious crimes sidelined if large numbers of officers fall ill, Lizzie Dearden writes

Forces have been asked to draw up local action plans on how they will perform core functions with reduced staff levels (AFP/Getty)

The start of 2020 looked promising for British police officers, who were finally seeing their numbers increase after the government’s abrupt U-turn on almost a decade of cuts.

But before the first of 20,000 new recruits pledged by Boris Johnson can settle in, the coronavirus outbreak has emerged to present a fresh threat to police numbers, working conditions and safety.

All 43 regional police forces across England and Wales have been ordered to draw up localised plans on how they will perform core functions if significant numbers of staff fall ill or have to isolate themselves.