Fire strike weakens London police force

The Fire Brigade strike is putting a massive strain on London’s police
force.

Head of HR at the Metropolitan Police Service, Martin Tiplady – who is also
head of the committee that manages the police response to the strike – told
Personnel Today the service was being stretched by the firefighters’ pay
protest.

More than 1,000 officers have been diverted from their regular duties to
help support the emergency services.

"We’re now into our contingency plan which was drawn up before the
strike," said Tiplady.

The police have to escort the Army’s fire engines and handle emergency calls
to the fire service.

"The actual 999 service is now being run from our building along with a
joint committee made up of police, army and fire brigade personnel," he
added.

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So far, firefighters have completed a 48-hour strike and are still demanding
a 40 per cent pay rise, to take basic pay to £30,000.

The Fire Brigade Union has rejected an 11 per cent offer as ‘insulting’.