POLICE in Greater London are working with the London Fire Brigade to support contingency plans for industrial action by firefighters starting at 6pm today (Friday).

They say they have agreed some work procedures and will make officers available where required.

Their role will mainly be to escort fire engines to and from scenes and to monitor strike activity. Police will not respond to fires.

“As with any protest, we will seek to balance the needs and rights of protesters against those who could be affected by their actions,” said a spokesman.

Commander Dave Musker said: "We do not have the training or capability to deal with fires. The police role at the scene of a fire is to enable the other emergency services to do their jobs.

“Police officers are not trained firefighters, but their primary concern is to save lives, and any officer in this situation will use his/her judgement to decide whether a rescue attempt can be made without increasing the risk to their own or other people's lives."