Police officers will have to cross a picket line to get to work when public sector unions strike over pensions.

Former police officers, as well as call-handlers, scenes of crimes officers and police community support officers, are among the Sussex Police workers who are likely to take industrial action on November 30.

Unionised staff are planning to picket the Sussex Police and Sussex Police Authority headquarters before joining other unions in a mass march in Brighton.

While police officers themselves do not have the right to strike, police staff are represented by Unison, one of the trade unions leading opposition to reforms to public sector pensions.

The union's Sussex Police and Justice Branch represents more than 900 police staff, about 80 probation officers, staff working for Reliance at custody centres and some cleaning company workers.

Branch secretary Andy Stenning said he expected a majority of the branch's members would stay away from work and a minority to take part in pickets - but emphasised the branch would not influence its members over whether or not to strike.

He said: “It is a personal matter, it is up to members personally to make that decision.

“We would like everybody out but it is a matter for them.”

Police staff are planning to picket outside Sussex Police headquarters in Church Lane, Lewes, between 7.30am and 9.30am, before joining a picket line at Sussex Police Authority at Sackville House in Brooks Close, Lewes, before travelling to Victoria Gardens in Brighton for 11am.

The Brighton, Hove and District Trades Union Council has called for union members involved in strikes to form the biggest demonstration ever seen in Brighton at 11.30am.

They are hoping for 10,000 people to march through the city to The Level.

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