It is the latest crisis to the country’s law enforcement agencies.
The GNR and PSP combined reveal this year numbers are down by more than 1,000 agents. But worse, of those that remain, 47% are over the age of 40 and so not “with the agility or resistance which could make all the difference”.
In other words, only just over half the country’s cops are fit enough to outrun a nimble fugitive.
The figures are worrying police chiefs across the board, with union bosses warning “the government has to change its policies otherwise the situation will get steadily worse”.
