Policing with depression is ‘horrendous'

Cases of UK police officers and staff taking long-term sick leave for psychological reasons have risen by 35% over the last five years, according to statistics obtained by BBC Radio 5 live.

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show cases rose from 4,544 in 2010-11 to 6,129 in 2014-15 despite police workforces shrinking.

Ed Simpson who is a sergeant with North Yorkshire Police withdrew from frontline policing in 2012 after he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I was so depressed that the thought of going to work and trying to survive another shift.. I would rather have been dead,” said Mr Simpson.