West Midlands police strike ballot 'indicates sad time'

The decision to ask for the right to strike indicates is "a very sad time for British policing", according to the West Midlands Police Federation.

Representatives from West Midlands, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia police forces met in Birmingham to share concerns and discuss the right to strike, which police officers currently do not have.

Chairman Ian Edwards said the police are "under a deliberate and sustained attack" from the government "intent on dismantling a police service that is the envy of the world".

The federation is balloting its 135,000 members nationwide asking if they want full industrial rights.