Officers at Cheshire Constabulary took more than 23,000 sick days last year, with more than 10,000 directly related to their mental health.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act showed that between January 1 and December 31 last year, officers took 23,799 days off sick.

Of those, a total of 10,161 were as a result of mental health issues. The FOI, which was submitted by a member of the public, also revealed how the number of sick days was broken down by rank, age and gender.

For total sick days, 13,911 were taken by constables, 4,156 by detective constables, 3,001 by sergeants, 1,275 by detective sergeants, and 1,456 by officers holding the rank of inspector or above.

For mental health sick days, constables accounted for 5,775, detective constables 1,506, sergeants 1,827, detective sergeants 496, and 556 for inspector and above.

The 41-55 age group accounted for most sick days across both mental health and all health-related sick days taken.

Male officers had more sick days than women with the exception of two categories – detective constable and 'inspector and above'.

It said it has a number of services available to its officers, including referral to a nurse or doctor for an occupational health appointment. It said it also has 'mental health first aiders' that can be contacted when individuals need support.

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A spokesman said: "Policing involves a number of complex issues and on occasions, our officers deal with some extremely traumatic cases, including murders, child sexual offences, fatal collisions, and other violent crimes.

"In addition, sadly officers are also regularly subject to both verbal and physical assaults. Therefore, there is no escaping that this can sometimes impact on our officers' health."

The spokesman said that on average the constabulary's sickness rate remains 'consistently below four per cent' and it had 'extensive health and well-being support services' in place for all of officers and staff.