Police 'to vote on strike rights'

The Police Federation says the pay rise amounts to just 1.9%

Police officers are likely to have a vote on whether they should have the right to strike - currently banned by an Act of Parliament - it has emerged.

The Police Federation is expected to confirm a ballot of its 140,000 members in England and Wales on the issue.

Chairman Jan Berry added there was "anger and frustration" at the Home Secretary's decision not to backdate a 2.5% wage increase, as in Scotland.

The government says the pay rise is in line with its inflation target.

'Full industrial rights'

The increase will see all officers paid a minimum of £21,500, with those with the longest service receiving £33,800.

According to the Federation, officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had been told their pay would be backdated to September, as it was in Scotland.

People who once would have sat back are now saying 'enough is enough' Jan Berry Police Federation

It says the rise for officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland really amounts to 1.9%, as it starts from 1 December rather than September.

Ms Berry said officers had lost confidence in the system as a result of the dispute.

"I think we are definitely going to have to ballot people," she added.

"We will be asking officers if they want access to full industrial rights or a binding arbitration system, because at the moment we have neither.

"People who once would have sat back are now saying 'enough is enough'."

Ray Mallon - the former police commander nicknamed "Robocop" who is now the independent mayor of Middlesbrough - told the BBC's Today programme that he supported the officers' wage claims but not the prospect of work-to-rule.

He added: "I think the government are completely wrong and they should actually pay the police what they deserve, because they are doing a very good job under difficult circumstances."

A meeting of 800 to 1,000 officers from across all ranks is due to be held in Westminster on 12 December to decide the Federation's strategy.

The Police Superintendents' Association, the Chief Police Officers' Staff Association and their opposite numbers from Scotland and Northern Ireland will also attend.