Thousands of civilian police staff including 999 call handlers will strike today, coinciding with a walkout by firefighters.

About 7,500 civilian police workers in London will take action for 24 hours in a row over pay while Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members in England and Wales will stop work for six hours from 6.30pm.

It will be the eighth strike by the FBU since September in a bitter dispute over pensions and the retirement age.

Public-sector union PCS called the police staff strike in protest at a below-inflation 1 per cent rise.

Police and community support officers, 999 call handlers, detention officers in custody suites and a range of administration and professional support staff are among those who will take action.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said New Year's Eve is one of the force's busiest days and indicated that it will draft in scabs.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The Metropolitan Police is not short of money. It does not need to force pay cuts on low-paid staff who help to keep London safe."

And FBU general secretary Matt Wrack reminded ministers that firefighters on duty over the festive period don't have much to celebrate this year.

"Tomorrow's strike will remind the government of the service we provide 24 hour a day, 365 days a year, every year of our careers," Mr Wrack said.

The union said the current storms and floods had highlighted the valuable jobs firefighters do. They will walk out again for two hours on Friday morning.