POLICE officers throughout the Thames Valley are being brought to their knees by fatigue, the federation has warned.

Craig O'Leary, chairman of the Thames Valley Police Federation, has surveys revealing that officers, particularly those based in local policing teams, were suffering due to a new operating model and shift patterns.

Though a challenging time for the force, Mr O'Leary said that chief constable Francis Habgood was 'listening to concerns'.

He also said a change to the shift patterns, due to come into effect in May, would hopefully boost the morale and well-being of struggling officers.

Mr O'Leary, said: "We had around 1,300 people in emergency response teams and investigation departments. It was very stark to see that they were the most impacted grouping on this survey.

“A lot of the lowest scores given were from those teams in the local police areas.

“That painted a picture really. Now the force really need to look at how they’re going to address that and improve that, so that some proper tangible steps are taken to improve how these officers are feeling.”

The new operating model went live in June last year and police bosses noted that it was a time of particularly high demand.

Some officers found the new model, which required working less each day but have less days off, tiring. Mr O'Leary said the new shift patterns had put officers 'on their knees'.

Mr Habgood said that, while the change had thrown up some issues, he regarded the operating model as an improvement.

Mr O'Leary, of the federation, said that, while the recruitment problem (the force is around 100 officers under target) carried on, some issues would likely continue.

He added: “Changes made show that they are listening and the chief constable is listening."