DORSET Police has answered criticism of its PPE provision following a survey carried out by the Police Federation.

The organisation's annual Pay and Morale study revealed more than 40 per cent of the Dorset officers who took part in the survey said they "had not had access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary during the Covid-19 crisis."

The force was one of seven with the highest numbers of officers who were not satisfied with equipment provided during the coronavirus crisis.

But the Police Federation locally said the survey only includes 18 per cent of the officers in the force and said any initial problems with PPE were put right by Dorset Police.

Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “At the start of the pandemic and lockdown we were taking advice and guidance nationally from PHE and the NPCC regarding the correct use of PPE.

"This guidance was ever evolving throughout that initial period sometimes on a daily and weekly basis. We were also managing limited supplies and risk assessing staff and policing roles throughout the organisation.

"We quickly moved to a position where we had the right PPE and were able to disseminate provisions to the staff to support them in the workplace and working remotely to keep them safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

"Dorset Police has consistently maintained low levels of sickness and low numbers of positive cases."

The survey also examined other aspects of the job and found that nationally 76 per cent of officers were unhappy with their levels of pay.

More than six out of 10 said morale has gone down during the coronavirus crisis and one in 10 said they plan to leave their job within two years.

Dorset's Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: "We understand that the past few months have been particularly challenging for our officers and staff and they continue to perform amazingly well, both professionally and personally, despite all they have faced.

"They have continued to provide the same high level of service to our communities and supporting their welfare as they do so remains an absolute priority for us.

"As these testing times continue, maintaining the welfare as well as the health and safety of our staff is critical. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of our people and we will learn lessons where we can to make sure we listen and respond where ever possible to concerns raised by officers, staff and those representing them."