POLICE officers are bidding for a big pay rise after news that some in Sussex are having to claim Family Credit.

The loss of free housing and rent allowances, worth as much as £230 a month, have put the squeeze on many officers.

Some just joining are finding the £16,000 starting salary too little to pay bills.

The Sussex branch of the Police Federation says it has heard of officers in the county having to claim Family Credit, the new income support, and they warn that unless pay is improved, then force plans for a large-scale recruitment drive could be hit.

The Federation nationally wants a 12 per cent pay increase over the next three years, on top of the index-linked annual award.

The claim is expected to be discussed by the Police Negotiations Board in July and any award will take effect in September.

Sussex Police announced this week it wants to hire 615 new recruits by the year 2003, double the usual intake.

But there are fears that many prospective candidates might be put off by pay.

Sussex federation spokesman Graham Alexander said Thames Valley, Essex and Hampshire forces are already having trouble hiring because of the high cost of housing.

Free housing or rent allowance, scrapped about five years ago, helped officers climb the property ladder.

Mr Alexander said: "The chickens are now coming home to roost and the pay and benefits have become less and less attractive.

"Starting pay might be okay for 18-year-olds but people in their 30s or 40s might not be able to afford switching from their existing careers.

"We have been bumping along for a number of years but now we have got to do something about pay. We need a pay review. Something has got to give."

Of the 205 new recruits wanted by Sussex per annum, 45 would be funded by the Government's new Crime Fighting Fund.

But with devolved budgets, Sussex and all other forces are still worried about long-term wages bills and where to find the cash.

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