Police to launch 'work to rule'

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The Police Federation called on its 140,000 rank-and-file members to operate strictly to their conditions of employment, which could leave forces short-handed.

The move is unlikely to affect major crime investigations but could mean minor offences go unsolved. It is also likely to damage the ability of police forces in England and Wales to meet Home Office targets.

Federation chairman Paul McKeever made the call after discussions broke down in the long-running pay dispute which saw more than 20,000 officers march on Westminster in January.

He called on his members to "secure your full entitlements" but stopped short of describing the move as a work-to-rule because police can be prosecuted for taking industrial action.

The prospect of police forces suffering officer shortages will be hugely embarrassing for Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who becomes the first politician to have triggered such strident action.

A Police Federation spokesman said: "It captures the desperation and the anger that many officers now feel."

In a letter to members, Mr McKeever said: "You should be aware of your rights so as to ensure that you secure your full entitlements as well as being aware of the obligations of your chief officer and police authority, under those regulations and determinations.

"Our members, together with chief officers and police authorities, are expected to comply with their obligations under the police regulations and determinations. This is particularly so when police officers are dissatisfied with the way we are being treated by the Government."

The organisation said it would be sending police a simple guide to their terms and conditions, which can be difficult to understand because officers do not have self-contained contracts.