THOUSANDS of Metropolitan Police staff will strike over pay.

Up to 9,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), including Police Community Support Officers, traffic wardens, 999 operators and administration staff, will walk out for 24 hours next Wednesday (March 12).

Nearly three-quarters of members voted in favour of the action, which will hit police stations in every London borough.

Workers are angry at a below-inflation 2.5 per cent offer, which they say is a pay cut "in real terms".

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "Below inflation pay is a growing problem across the public sector with the Government using the discredited argument that public sector pay fuels inflation to squeeze people's pay.

"Staff who play a vital role in the fight against crime are not prepared to see their pay cut in real terms as the cost of living in the capital increases at nearly double of what is on offer.

"Met Police management need to recognise the important role that staff play by paying a fair wage."