'Work from home' suspended after 26 police officers, staff and contractors accused of 'skiving' by 'key jamming'

A POLICE force has suspended "work from home" rights for 26 police officers, staff and contractors after it placed them under formal misconduct investigations over alleged "key jamming."

The probe is investigating if the workers were using the technique where items are placed on keypads to make staff appear active when they were actually skiving.

On Monday 29 September 2025, members of Greater Manchester Police (GMP’s) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), served misconduct papers after an operation to identify abnormal keystroke behaviour on GMP-issued devices.

This forms the latest strand of an ongoing programme to drive out poor performance and improve efficiency and effectiveness across the force.

GMP’s Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods (above) said: “This operation has been underway for a number of months, and as a result we have taken action this week to allow for greater investigation into what has happening.

“The abnormal keystroke behaviour comes from repeated key presses and could be from an item left on a keypad, pressing down one key. GMP isn’t the first force in the UK to have undertaken an operation such as this, and we have seen other industries take swift action, where deliberate key-jamming has been proven.

“As an organisation which seeks to serve the public of Greater Manchester to the best of our abilities, ensuring the responsible and effective use of every pound paid by Greater Manchester’s taxpayers, which forms the basis of our budget. Our communities deserve to see value for money and where deliberate behaviour is proven you can be confident, we will take decisive action in this matter.”

Working from home privileges have been revoked while further investigation takes place. Additionally, the line managers of those involved will be spoken to and face greater leadership scrutiny.