Police officers have lost their High Court battle with the Government over their pay.

Forces across the country have been up in arms since Home Secretary Jacqui Smith decided in December to award officers an agreed pay rise of 2.5 per cent, but refused to back date the increase to September.

This made the actual pay out equivalent to 1.9 per cent, representing a loss of around £200 a year per officer.

The Police Federation, which represents police officers of varying ranks across the UK, argued that Ms Smith had approached the pay review with a “closed mind” and had acted unlawfully.

However, two judges at the High Courts found the Home Secretary had not acted unlawfully, but recognised that officers were in a “difficult position” as they had no right to strike.Last month, police in England and Wales voted in favour of lobbying the Government for the right to take industrial action.

Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Paul McKeever said after the ruling: “We did not take the decision to bring this matter to court lightly, but the failure of the home secretary to fight our corner in Government and her unwillingness to accept and implement findings of an independent police arbitration tribunal left us with no choice.

“We take heart that we have won the moral case.”

Chairman of the Kent branch of the Police Federation Ian Pointon said the Home Secretary had acted in “bad faith” and said further meetings would be held to consider appealing against the decision.

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