Save and Protect!

Police Federation march on 10th May
On Thursday 10th May more than 35,000 off-duty police officers from across the country marched through central London to protest against the 20 per cent cuts to police budgets being imposed by the Government.

The cuts will result in at least 16,000 officer posts – and probably more – disappearing in England and Wales. Over 2,000 officer posts will go in the Metropolitan Police Service – equal to the entire police strength on Westminster Borough!

Click on the images to enlarge

Some of who those joined the march had travelled from as far away as Cornwall and Northumbria, setting off in the early hours to arrive in time for the muster at 10 am. Many others were prevented from attending because of duties but they sent messages of support to those colleagues who were participating.

The Government must now take notice of the strength of feeling which such a massive show of anger and frustration by officers in their own time demonstrates.

The last time officers took to the streets was in 2008 when about 20,000 marched. The event of 10th May has eclipsed that, such is the depth and strength of feeling.

Joining the officers were former colleagues from the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) London Branch, and members of the general public.

And there was political support from Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Shadow Police Minister David Hanson and Keith Vaz, Chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, who were all present at the start of the march.

The Police Federation now heads to its annual conference in Bournemouth where the fight will continue against the swingeing cuts to budgets and the creeping privatisation of police functions.