Police staff vote to strike over 'danger' payment

More than 1,500 people, whose duties involve custody suites, crime scenes and call handling, could take part in the action

Staff at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have voted in favour of strike action which will take place on July 11.

Upwards of 1,500 people, whose duties involve custody suites, crime scenes and call handling, could take part, posing a headache for the police at a busy time of year.

The strike will last 24 hours, with action possible on future days, according to trade union Nipsa.

The dispute is over their 'danger money' payment.

The payment, officially called the revised environmental allowance, has been largely unchanged at £580 since being introduced 30 years ago.

The equivalent payment made to police officers increases regularly and is around £4,000.

The allowances are paid on top of salaries in recognition of the terrorist threat.

Nipsa has said the situation is "unacceptable", pointing out staff receive the same security guidance as officers, including checking under their cars for bombs.

It believes the staff allowance should be doubled.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has voiced support for an increase in danger money payments

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has voiced support for an increase.

However, the Department of Justice, which provides his budget, previously said he had not shown an uplift is affordable.

PSNI Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “Planning is under way to mitigate any risk in critical functions in the event of staff absences as a result of this industrial action."

She said she wanted to "reassure the public" that they will "have the resources in place to allow us to keep people safe.”