Police across the UK are considering what action to take after yesterday branding a government pay offer "insulting".

Negotiations broke down after officials offered a 2.3% pay award which the Police Federation said amounted to a cut in real terms.

Yesterday's rejected offer could further strengthen calls within the police to seek the right to take industrial action, including striking.

Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever said the offer was insulting and added: "We will take our very fair and reasonable claim of 3.5% to conciliation or the Independent Police Arbitration Tribunal."

The row raises the prospect of further embarrassment for Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, who was blamed for a high-profile pay dispute last year when an agreed pay deal of 2.5% was implemented three months later than expected and was only 1.9%.

Scottish ministers agreed to pay the full 2.5% increase.

Police are banned from taking industrial action by law but a federation poll in May, showed 86% backed a move to seek industrial rights.

Norrie Flowers, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation said: "This is another slap in the face to the police officers of the UK."