Home Secretary has 'lost the trust of police'

The Home Secretary Theresa May faced calls to resign today as she was told she had lost the trust of the police.

May was heckled and booed as she told officers they should stop pretending the police were the only area of the public sector facing cuts. Several high ranking officers called for her resignation after she told the delegation at the Police Federation conference that the changes to their pay and condition were "for the good of the country".

Lucy Manning reports.

Simon Payne, of the Warwickshire Police Federation said:

His comments came after May had spent almost two hours answering questions and listening to officers' concerns about the 20% cuts to policing the Home Secretary seems determined to push through.

Steve Thornton, from the Staffordshire Police Federation said his force was reducing its numbers to 1,750 by 2015, taking it back to 1970s levels. He referenced the large sign on the podium from which the Home Secretary made her badly received speech.

Another member stood up and said:

Many in the crowd of officers agreed with him, and May finished her speech to a chorus of boos and heckles reflecting this 'disgrace' sentiment.

Shadow home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: