Police officers express ‘grave concerns’ at covering ambulance strikes

Chair of Police Federation says request to drive ambulances comes as forces already overstretched

Rank and file police officers have expressed grave concern" at being asked to cover ambulance workers during strikes this month, at a time when they say law enforcement is already facing unprecedented pressure.

Steve Hartshorn, the chair of the Police Federation, has issued a strongly worded warning to the government that requiring police to drive ambulances would push over-burdened officers closer towards a tipping point".