Police staff are set to walk out on one of the busiest days before Christmas in a row over pay.

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s emergency call handlers, Police Community Support Officers, custody staff, and scenes of crime officers- who collect forensic evidence - are among staff who voted to strike on Monday, December 22.

Police staff from across the country will walk out on the day that UNISON describe as "one of the busiest days before Christmas".

The unions have asked for either a three per cent or a £500 rise, whichever is greater, on all police pay and they claim the national employers have "refused to engage in any negotiations".

UNISON staff said police pay has been frozen in 2010 and 2011 and claimed they have received a pay decline of 13 per cent since 2010.

Steph Raddings, chairman of Herts Police Staff UNISON, in a statement said: "At a time when demand for high quality public services is increasing, it is a false economy for the National Employers to continue to suppress pay, which destroys morale and is making it harder to recruit and retain quality staff. 

"At some point something will have to give and it is the public of Hertfordshire who will suffer. This campaign for fair pay for our Police Staff is a campaign for all of us who rely on the Police service.

"It is disappointing that National Employers won’t agree to meet. Police Staff are struggling to make ends meet at a time when they are being pressured to perform to high standards with increasing workloads and less resources caused by the continual Government cuts in Police budgets.   

"UNISON only takes strike action once every other avenue of influence and negotiation has been exhausted. It is not a decision taken lightly. This dispute is not with Hertfordshire Constabulary but with the National Employers Board. 

"Staff that voted to strike includes Police Community Support Officers, Custody staff, Emergency Call Takers and Radio Dispatchers, Scenes of Crime Officers and many other vital support roles that work alongside Police Officers to keep the public of Hertfordshire safe."