A march that discredits police

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Nevertheless, the Government's handling of the dispute has been inept. Last April an independent review body recommended a 2.5 per cent settlement, but the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, decided not to backdate the award to September, effectively reducing it to 1.9 per cent. In Scotland, by contrast, officers received the full 2.5 per cent rise. The police rightly resent the poorer deal for England - although that is an unavoidable effect of devolution.

The Home Office points out that the £30 million saved by Ms Smith's proposed timing of the award would pay for 800 more officers. But ministers' call for pay restraint should not be taken at face value. Lower settlements for police, nurses and others would not be enough on their own to get rid of inflationary pressures. In fact, ministers want public-sector pay restraint because without it, the Government will go even further into the red.

None of that is the fault of the police, and they should not see their pay deal shaved down as a result. Ms Smith would do better to save her energy and political credibility for confrontation with police unions over reforms to get more officers back on the streets. But the police should concentrate on their job rather than stage such demonstrations.