PSNI officers' danger money plea

The Police Federation says officers' allowances should not be cut further

The police federation has said PSNI officers' morale will plummet if their danger money is cut while they face a threat from dissident republicans.

The special allowance had paid £2,731 a year to officers up until 2007, when the federation agreed to a 25% cut in two stages.

The federation said it would be "contemptible" if the government implemented the second cut next month.

The Northern Ireland Office said the cuts reflected the progress made in NI.

It added that the reductions were made in agreement with police representatives.

"We are deeply grateful for the dedication of all police officers in Northern Ireland and 75% of the allowance remains in place," said an NIO spokeswoman.

A spokesman for the Police Federation said the lives of several officers could have been lost in recent dissident republican attacks.

"The chief constable has made it clear he's never seen the level of threat as high," he said.

"On the one hand, the secretary of state and security minister acknowledge that threat, on the other, they are taking this contemptible approach.

"Officers want to believe they are backed by a government to the hilt, not one that is in denial about the threat they are facing."