Witness liaision officers at South Yorkshire Police set to walk out over pay

Dozens of witness liaison officers working for South Yorkshire Police are set to go on strike after a unanimous vote for industrial action.

The GMB says there should be parity for staff, who answer queries, provide updates and explaining case decisions to victims, with counterparts at West Yorkshire Police “who are often paid £5,000 a year more for the same job”.

The union said the timing of strikes would be decided in the coming days. Regional organiser Joe Wheatley said: "These officers play an essential role in keeping the cogs of justice turning, supporting survivors of extreme violence and other crime.

"How can it be right that people who deliver a vital and difficult service are being paid £5,000 less than those in identical roles only forty five miles up the M1?

"The last thing these staff want to do is strike but the Chief Constable’s obstinate attitude to pay negotiations has brought us here.”

South Yorkshire Police said they had “engaged closely with a group of our WLOs in force to understand the matters they have raised and ensure fair and thorough consideration is given to the grading of their role”.

There had been two internal reviews, a peer review by an external force, and an independent external review but the grade remained “unchanged on each occasion”.

The force said they are disappointed by the industrial action, but contingency plans are in place.