Kent Police have been made to work on thousands of rest days according to a snapshot of forces across the country.

From October 31 last year, some 3,315 officers in the county were owed 12,995 rest days, according to a Freedom of Information request.

By contrast, Essex Police owed 7,907 rest days to 2,566 officers as of October 19 last year.

The figures show the state of the nation's police forces in the weeks after the country's terror alert level was downgraded from "critical", which happened on September 17.

A rest day is described by the force as a day that an officer is not at work and used to recuperate, but different to planned leave.

It has also been revealed police officers are sometimes given the opportunity to be paid for the time they work, during rest days.

Richard Leicester, head of HR at Kent Police, said: "Kent Police’s officers and staff are its biggest asset and their health and wellbeing is always considered when the force plans its resourcing.

"We fully recognise that rest days play an important part in ensuring the wellbeing of our workforce is considered and we try to preserve scheduled rest days wherever possible.

"We promote the importance of a work-life balance within the force and have processes in place to ensure officers take reasonable time off to rest and recuperate.

"On average, based on the data provided, officers in the force are owed approximately just over three-and-a-half rest days each and that is below the national average when compared to other forces.

"Every effort is made to avoid the cancellation of rest days but the dynamic nature of policing means that on occasion it is necessary for officers and staff to work on days they were not initially scheduled to work.

"Kent Police must ensure that the public remain safe and when additional staffing is required officers and staff may on occasions accrue rest days to be taken at a later date.

"Where an officer is required to work on a scheduled rest day they can, in some circumstance opt to take payment for working their rest day, or take time off at a later date.

"Just because the time is owed, it does not mean the officer has been denied the opportunity to take it."

Mr Leicester added the force ensures any time built up is given back to the officer in full.

Chairman of the Kent Police Federation, Chris Carter, said it's vital officers have the chance to take days off: "I think the important figure to compare is the average per officer.

"It's fairly similar and from my point of view that's not too bad.

"Officers are entitled to two rest days per week which is what most people are entitled to. These can sometimes be cancelled due to operational reasons.

"It's vital that people are given a chance to recover and recuperate and that's exactly the same for officers.

"We must view this issue in the context of cuts and reduction in numbers so it's more likely days off will be cancelled.

"It's vital that officers are given the chance to take days back when they want them.

"We don't get that many enquiries saying officers are unable to take days off."

Mr Carter added the increased recruitment drive will help the current situation.