Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Give the police back their right to go on strike

Closed 2,923 signatures

What the petition asks

We have seen vital emergency services take industrial action and strike in response to the cost of living, pay and working conditions. Police in England and Wales continue to suffer but have no right to take such drastic action as other emergency services do. This needs to be rectified.
Police are banned from going on strike under Section 91 of the Police Act 1996, making it a criminal offence. Ironically, this because their services is deemed too important. I have seen first hand the damage this does to our officers. They are overworked due to lack of numbers and can be penalised for not doing their job to the best of their ability as a result. Pay does not reflect the increase of work, psychological damage and the rise in cost of living.

Timeline

15 Feb 2023 Petition opened for signatures
15 Aug 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 2,923
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 15 Feb 2023
Closed 15 Aug 2023

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.