Rock bottom morale at Sussex Police could see up to 1,000 officers take to the streets to voice their concern over cuts.

Mark White, secretary of the Sussex Police Federation, said that he had never known such bad feeling among the force’s rank and file.

He said: “I have known officers angry but I have never known them angry like this before.

“All I will say is that last time there was such an event 25,000 police officers gathered nationally and more are expected this time.

“There are 3,200 officers in Sussex and obviously some will be on duty.

“But of the officers who can attend I expect many will want to.”

On Friday he wrote a letter to all Sussex MPs detailing Sussex Police Federation’s feelings.

He continued: “The situation officers are in at the moment is very, very hard.

“Retired officers, superintendents and officers’ families might also want to attend.”

He spoke after the National Police Federation announced that there were plans for officers from across all forces to meet in London on May 10 for an event.

So far details of what is planned have not been announced, but it is likely that it will involve a march or lobbying of Government.

Police officers are contractually not allowed to strike.

Officers are angry about the way they had been treated by the Government in relation to issues such as pensions, working hours and pay.

A Sussex Police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I have never known such bad feeling among my colleagues. A lot of people are very upset about a lot of things. Decisions are being steam-rolled through and there is no let up with other things.

“Not only are pensions being reviewed but everything else is under attack as well.

“This is coming on top of a year when we have had to put all our summer on hold because of the Olympics and party conferences in Brighton.

“I am also really concerned about a lot of younger serving police officers and a lot of people with young families and single parent families because there are proposals which are being suggested which will adversely affect them.

“Also new recruits will start on wages which are lower than PCSOs.”

The officer said he expected all his colleagues who could attend the event would.