Dorset Police taking part in a demonstration today “blame the county’s MPs” for the cuts.

More than 200 officers – all of them off duty – have travelled to London to march against cuts, pay changes, and the privatisation of some police work.

Coaches left Bournemouth and Ferndown stations at around 7am.

More than 10,000 police are expected to gather from around the country.

The march will start at noon at Millbank and head past the Home Office and Downing Street.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of the Dorset Police Federation, said: “I do believe that locally, officers will blame all of our current MPs, as they have had an opportunity to vote against the cuts but have all voted for them.”

He said the police budget has been cut by 20 per cent and Dorset has lost 108 officers and 176 civilian staff, with more cuts to come.

“Officers understand austerity measures are essential but not police being cut more than any other public service,” he said.

Police are also angry at the Winsor review, which recommended reforms including pay and pensions cuts.

And they objected to the privatisation of some policing roles being introduced in some forces, fearing they will be introduced more generally.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Our comprehensive package of reforms will support the police in improving service to the public and developing professionalism.

“The existing police pay system was designed over 30 years ago.”