Police plan strike during October speed 'marathon'

Police unions have threatened to boycott Belgum's next speed check "marathon" in an ongoing protest over work conditions.

Federal and local officers are due to be out in force with mobile speed cameras on motorways, regional and local roads on 17-18 October to catch speeding drivers.

The last operation, in April, saw 35,000 drivers booked for excessive speed and 91 driving licences confiscated.-

However, VTM reports that three of Belgium's four major police unions have announced an intention to go on strike over the same period.

They are protesting about staff shortages, increased workload and changes to sick pay.

In July, interior minister Jan Jambon confirmed that Belgium is lacking 3,700 police officers, with officers building up large amounts of overtime and having requests for holiday turned down.

The Belgian federal police force has 1,610 posts to fill out of a total workforce of 13,500. Local police divisions are short of 2,097 officers, out of a total 31,281.