Branch chair Rich Cooke said members of the public did not take kindly to politicians who reneged on previous commitments and urged ministers to stick to the deal which saw police officers properly remunerated in return for an agreement not to go on strike.

The Police Act of 1919, which also established by law the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), promised fair pay to police officers if they agreed to waive the right to take industrial action.

But Rich said the Government did not appear to be sticking to its side of the bargain and that officers had endured a 20 per cent real-terms pay cut over the last 12 years which had left many struggling to make ends meet.

He said: “We are in the grip of a serious cost of living crisis and every day new stories emerge of police officers using food banks to feed their families, of detectives borrowing money from elderly relatives to cover their mortgages, of new recruits unable to fill their cars up to drive to work.

“Police officers haven’t had a pay rise for two years and I think it’s time the Government was reminded of the commitments it has made to our members.

“We have the backing of members of the public who support our demands for fair pay and I would urge the new policing minister and his Government colleagues to make sure the promises of the past are not forgotten.

“Our members deserve to be properly rewarded for the incredibly difficult jobs they do and the idea that other public sector workers who are allowed to strike are being offered pay rises while we just look on is a pretty difficult one to take.”

His remarks were echoed by national Federation chair Steve Hartshorn who has vowed to step up the Police Federation’s fight for fair pay.

Steve said: “Workers in other public sectors are taking industrial action over pay and conditions this summer whilst PFEW members ‘police’ the strikes.

“Our members cannot strike and seem to have no redress to this loss as the law currently prohibits such action by police officers.

“All police officers want is fair pay. A reward that recognises their important place in society, for the dangers they face as they go about their duties fighting and preventing crime, enforcing law and order and protecting the vulnerable, while not having access to employment rights similar to other workers for safeguarding their pay and conditions.”

Steve insisted the responsibility of any Government was the safety and security of its citizens and warned it would struggle to fulfil its obligations when the police faced such huge challenges as a result of broken promises.

He said: “During our Annual Conference in May, I asked the Home Secretary – Why are my colleagues one of the only groups of frontline public sector workers being punished?

“Today, I want to ask the Government – did our forebears make a mistake in trusting you by giving up our right to strike in 1919 against the promise of fair pay?

“The Government must be reminded of this promise time and time again.”

He added: “We now have a new Commissioner of Police in the Metropolitan Police Service, a new Policing Minister, a new Chancellor and an experienced Home Secretary, all of whom know how important policing is to everyday life.

“It is time the Government values that importance and realises that people will not forgive broken promises.”