POLICE compensation payments have hit £1million in three years with almost half going to people who work for the force.

Essex Police pays out more than almost any other force in compensation including to police officers suffering from stress.

An average of one claim a week was successful between 2011 to 2014 with an average of £6,500 being paid out.

This included £445,000 to police officers and staff and £572,000 to residents.

Reasons for staff payouts included injuries and stress at work, damage to personal property while on duty and negligence by other officers.

Payouts to members of the public include unlawful arrests, false imprisonment, damage to property by police officers and assault.

The information was revealed following a freedom of information request by the BBC.

Andy Silvester, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Either the police are not providing a safe working environment or they are paying out early on spurious claims.

“Either way it is taxpayers who pay.”

£1million would help fund about 18 extra police officers.

Chief Supt Andy Prophet revealed 152 of 515 claims were accepted.

He claimed it was not an excessive amount given the size of Essex Police.

The force has a budget of £265m, 5,500 people working for them, two million calls a year and makes 37,000 arrests.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Like any large organisation Essex Police has to handle a large number of claims for compensation.

“The claims received reflect the nature of the difficult and complex work.

“On occasions mistakes are made and claims for compensation in such cases have to be settled.”

“Where mistakes have been made claims are settled quickly and organisational improvements and/or individual learning is identified and addressed.”

Figures released last year showed Essex Police was among the top five for compensation payouts.