South Wales Police Federation vice-chair Phil Walker has endorsed a campaign for an allocation of funds seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act to go towards the support of officers living with injuries and conditions sustained in policing.

A petition has recently been launched to propose the introduction of a policy that would see organisations providing care to affected officers, both active and retired, receive an annual portion of money recovered from assets obtained through criminal activity.

“I am really happy to see this movement gaining momentum,” said Phil. “It’s about time the charities trying to help police staff in this way were helped better themselves.”

The Act, passed in 2002, recovered £339.1 million of assets through Confiscation, Forfeiture and Civil Recovery Orders in the financial year 2022 to 2023. This figure is down only 5 per cent from 2021 to 2022, the highest year on record for proceeds of crime, and still reflects the overall rising trend in asset recovery over the last six years.

While acknowledging that funds generated have historically been directed back into the Force, Phil believes there is a need for some officers to feel the benefit of the Act more directly.

One of the beneficiaries of the campaign would be the likes of Police Care UK.

He added: “Of course, I am not denying that the money recovered has been put to good use, but I think there is definitely a gap in its distribution. It being received by the Force isn’t much good for a retired officer living with an injury they picked up during their career.”

Beneficiaries of the campaign’s success would include Police Care UK, who have appealed for more financial aid in their efforts to support the welfare, recovery and wellbeing of current and ex-staff who are injured or living with disability and mental health issues as a result of police demands.

“There are some great causes out there that are simply not receiving enough funding,” Phil continued. “Clearly, there is not enough recognition of the legacy crime can leave behind on police staff, both physically and psychologically.”

“As a result, they are not being supported properly.”

The petition, which was rolled out at the end of February, has already reached more than 2,000 signatures on the Official UK Parliament website, and Phil has urged Federation members to add their own.

“I am sure every member knows of someone living with a condition they sustained on the job. I would encourage everyone to support this movement for them," he ended.

Members can sign and learn more about the petition by visiting its official page here.

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