HAMPSHIRE Police Federation chiefs have branded failed talks to reform the police service as "a disgrace".

The comments follow a collapse in negotiations on how to save nearly £400m following a national review to streamline forces in England and Wales.

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation said: "Our negotiators entered the Police Negotiating Board with a genuine appetite for a sensible, well considered solution. The proposals submitted by the staff side accepted the need for financial prudence, which is why our proposals could have saved up to £422m.

"The official side have chosen to ignore this proposal which suggests that the savings were not the priority, but an underhanded and devious attempt at changing officers terms and conditions were. This further suggests that the official side entered the negotiations never intending to reach a compromise. This is not negotiation, it's a disgrace."