Cheshire Police is averaging over 1109 sick days per month, according to new figures.

Anxiety, stress and depression are the main reason for absence at Cheshire Police with the illnesses accounting for 3,327 sick days in the first three months of this year.

Figures released in a report from the recent police scrutiny board meeting reveal 2,254 of these days relate to police officers and the rest to police staff.

The report, which will also be considered by the police and crime panel on Friday, states: "Following the spike in December due to a high number of short-term minor illness cases, sickness has reduced during the first quarter of the year and is below the force threshold of 4.6 per cent.

"Anxiety, stress and depression remained as the highest reason for absence across the force for the full quarter, this was followed by Minor Illness and then hospital investigation, treatment or operation."

It says advisers are working in partnership with local managers and the Police Federation and Unison to review absence cases to ensure that appropriate support is in place to assist recovery and support a return to work where appropriate.

The figures also revealed at 61 police employees were on long term sick of more than 29 days and there have been seven police officer ill health retirements in the last quarter of the financial year.

Specific figures for Macclesfield Police were unavailable.

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