Thousands of British police officers marched through central London on Wednesday in protest over annual pay rise.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, claimed some 18,500 officers participated in the biggest police protest since 1919, Sky news reported.
The police, out of their uniform, are expected to march throught he Home Office and the Houses of Parliament to voice their anger.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is the target as she decided not to backdate the agreed 2.5 percent pay rise for officers to September but instead implement it in December. She argued that keeping public sector pay awards below 2 percent is necessary to keep inflation under control.
Police officers believe the government showed a breach of trust by deciding to ignore the recommendation of an independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.
Nonetheless, it was announced recently that teachers are getting 2.45 percent rise in pay, and the civilian staff who work in police stations are also getting more than their colleagues in uniform.
The Police Federation has applied for judicial review of the Home Secretary's decision.
The police are not allowed to go on strike under British law. The Police Federation is planning to ballot its members on whether they would like to lobby to be allowed the right to strike.
Source:Xinhua
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