HAMPSHIRE POLICE officers are "disgusted and angry" at the Government decision not to boost their pay

The Chair of Hampshire Police Federation has slammed the decision to freeze pay for officers.

It comes as NHS colleagues were awarded a 3 per cent pay rise.

Hitting out, Zoe Wakefield, said: “This is a Government decision. It clearly shows what the Government thinks of police officers.

“The NHS wholeheartedly deserve a 3 per cent pay rise. Firefighters deserve a 1.5 per cent pay rise.

"Do police officers really deserve nothing? Actually, it is less than nothing in real terms.

“My colleagues are feeling undervalued after everything they have done during the pandemic. They have been stabbed, bitten, kicked, punched, threatened, abused, coughed and spat at during the pandemic.

Ms Wakefield previously voiced her concerns about officers working through the pandemic and the conditions they have faced. Her criticism comes amid the announcement there will be a pause to headline pay rises for the majority of public sector workforces in 2021-22.

She added: "They have been out there every day and night protecting the public, dealing with the COVID rule-breakers all the time not only putting themselves at risk but also risking taking the virus home to their loved ones. Where would the country be now if the police had not broken up all those house parties, policed the endless protests, particularly in London and Bristol, working with the NHS in ICU, driven ambulances… and so much more.

“It is not over for policing. Officers are working overtime so often that they are exhausted. They are covering for colleagues who are sick or self-isolating and this is all in addition to the constant shift changes because we just don’t have enough officers to meet demand.”