Police reception staff to strike

Approximately 200 reception officers at police stations in London are to stage a 24-hour strike in protest at plans to replace them with community support staff, it has been announced.

The Public and Commercial Services union said its members will walk out on January 28 in protest at moves to axe their roles.

PCS official Sevi Yesilldali, said: "Station reception staff are often the first point of contact in dealing with people reporting a crime and have specialist knowledge and experience which is invaluable in the smooth running of the capital's police stations.

General secretary Mark Serwotka added: "Highly skilled and experienced staff are angry about being told their job will no longer exist. The Met Police need to recognise the important work of reception officers and that the job of community support officers is out in our communities supporting the police."

While, I am sure, no police officer has an axe to grind against the men and women who work alongside them as PCSOs,there are some parts of the service where only a warranted officer can do the job and that also means in the reception areas.

Michael Smith (Veshengro), January 2008