Warnings have been sent to 29 Staffordshire police officers and staff who frequently claim sick days during Christmas and New Year.

Staffordshire Police identified staff who took sick days during the festive period over a five-year period.

The employees then faced managers in attendance review meetings to discuss the reasons for the absence.

The review of more than 4,000 people examined how many officers and police staff had taken time off between December 20 and January 5.

Caroline Coombe, senior manager in personnel services, said: “We reviewed seasonal sickness absence and looked if there were any patterns or trends, particularly with individuals.

“Over the five years, 29 staff were reported sick during the festive period in three years out of five. The line managers of those staff were provided with a standard letter offering advice. They would have had an attendance review meeting to discuss their absence.”

Of those singled out in the review covering 2004 to 2008 inclusive, around half were officers, while the rest were police staff.

Reasons for the sickness included flu symptoms, asthma, tonsillitis and chest infections.

Mark Judson, chairman of Staffordshire Police Federation, said: “There will be legitimate reasons why some people, on occasions, go off sick at Christmas, but if the force has identified a pattern they are entitled to pick up on that.”