GREATER Manchester deputy mayor Baroness Bev Hughes has raised concerns over the increase in the number of police officers who have contracted coronavirus.

Baroness Hughes, who leads on policing in the region, revealed that the sickness rate of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) staff has jumped up from 2.4 per cent to four per cent.

And the number of staff that need to take time off may impact operations, the deputy mayor warned.

Baroness Hughes said: "Sickness has increased by 2.4 per cent to four per cent.

"Some aspects of policing will be affected if this rise in infections continues.

"It is something we need to be aware of."

In an online press conference, Baroness Hughes also revealed that 57 callers have contacted GMP 's new victim support line, which was set up last month in the wake of a damning inspection on the force.

Meanwhile, there have been calls for officers to be moved up the line to be given coronavirus vaccines quicker.

Police Federation chairman John Apter has written to National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Martin Hewitt requesting that new and urgent representations are made directly to Government over the issue so rank and file officers are "given the protection they deserve".

Mr Apter said: “This is certainly not about jumping the queue in front of the most vulnerable members of society or those on the NHS frontline. It’s about ensuring policing is resilient enough to cope with the demands of the pandemic and that my colleagues can continue to support the public during these exceptional times.”