Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has called for police to receive a pay rise from the government.

Marc Jones says he will write to the Home Secretary Priti Patel asking for officers to receive better treatment from central government.

The Home Secretary announced the pay freeze for most officers earlier this week, which has been branded and 'insult' to them.

Ms Patel said in a written statement to parliament on Wednesday that police officers earning more than £24,000 would not receive any additional pay while those earning less than this amount will receive an extra £250.

The move is part of a wider pay freeze for much of the public sector.

She continued: "We absolutely recognise the bravery, commitment and professionalism of our police who work night and day to keep us safe and we will continue to give them the resources, tools and powers they need to protect the public.

"The Government recognises that public sector workers play a vital role in the running of our public services, including in their remarkable commitment to keeping the public safe in the continuing fight against Covid-19."

In response, Marc Jones, who was recently appointed

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said he would call on the Home Secretary to give police a better deal. He said: "No one doubts the nation is facing some difficult decisions as we try to recover from the economic ravages of the pandemic. There will be some very tough judgements to make and I'm glad that officers on salaries under £24,000 will still receive a pay rise. "However, while I understand the financial challenges I also recognise that police officers have played their part in a decade of vital public sector pay restraint and have provided a crucial role in the most trying of circumstances safeguarding our community during a national emergency. "It is my view, and the view of the many PCC colleagues I have spoken to from around the country, that it does not sit well to see officers overlooked given their outstanding service through these unprecedented times. "I know well the Home Secretary's commitment to policing and her respect for the officers and staff who deliver for our communities under incredible pressures." Mr Jones added: "As Chair of the APCC I will be writing directly to the Home Secretary to offer the APCC's support in ensuring a fair and equitable settlement from central Government moving forward." Rutland's PCC Rupert Matthews has also called for a police pay rise, as Nub News also reported yesterday.