Heat on Jack Straw for saying some police pefer warm station to cold beat.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

A claim from the justice secretary, Jack Straw, today that some police officers preferred staying in the warmth of the police station than getting out on the beat last night sparked a furious reaction from police leaders.

Sir Hugh Orde, the president of the association of chief police officers, described his remarks as "not constructive" while rank and file constables claimed they were "irresponsible and inflammatory".

The comments were made by the justice secretary in a radio interview when he was explaining that he was "sceptical" about police claims that they were overworked or had to spend hours at the station filling in forms …