Sussex Police officers will descend on Westminster today to protest against spending cuts and changes to their pay and conditions.

Some 47 off-duty officers, up to the rank of Chief Inspector Ali Darge, will be among more than 2,000 to take part in a day of action, organised by the Police Federation for England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers.

They claim crime will go up because of a 20 per cent cut to the policing budget. The demonstration includes a rally outside Parliament and officers will attempt to make their case to local MPs. Sussex Police is facing the loss of 500 officers as part of multimillion-pound spending cuts. Mark White, secretary of Sussex Police Federation, will be among the demonstrators.

He said the cuts could not be managed without hitting frontline services.

He said: “The chief has said we need to lose 500 officers. Our belief is that it cannot be managed without affecting the service.

“Police officers are resilient, and they will do their best, but I cannot see it not affecting the front line.”

Labour MPs including Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will address the officers, who are also demonstrating against changes to their pay, working conditions and pensions.