What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Police support staff are demanding a pay rise of 5% or £1,000, whichever is greater.

The UK’s three biggest unions, Unite, Unison and GMB – representing 32,000 civilian staff including community support officers, call handlers and scene of crime and forensics – said their pay was up just 4.2% in six years while living costs had jumped 20%.

Unison’s Ben Priestley said numbers had been cut to the bone with remaining staff “desperately trying to do more with less”.

He added: “These employees are a vital part of the team responsible for keeping us safe. The Government must scrap the pay cap and give police staff the pay rise they deserve.”

Unite’s Fiona Farmer said real-term pay cuts had hit morale as well as leading to problems of recruitment and retention.

She said: “In some parts we are seeing call handlers leaving to work in call centres for better pay and less stress. It’s time to give these unsung heroes a decent pay rise.”