Hundreds of reception officers working across the capital's police stations are to go on a one day strike next week in protest over plans to replace them with community support officers.

According to the Public and Commercial Services union, around 200 reception officers will strike on Monday, January 28.

The union said staff were angry over plans to replace them PCSOs whose role it is to support officers out on the streets.

The union warned that the move would lead to a loss of "experience, knowledge and professionalism" in police station receptions and see PCSO's being diverted from their intended role of supporting officers in communities across the capital.

Sevi Yesilldali, PCS group president for the Met Police, said: "To take trained PCSOs off the streets and divert them from working in the Capital's communities will lead to a poorer service and a less visible presence on the streets of London."

Yesilldali said station reception staff are often the first point of contact in dealing with people reporting a crime and their "specialist knowledge and experience" made them invaluable.

The Met claimed negotiations have taken place with the union and all current staff have been offered the opportunity to transfer to the new role, with a 'significant' cash payment.

"We have proposed what is undoubtedly a good offer, and had been adapting, having listened to the issues raised by the PCS," a said spokesman said.

"We are very disappointed that it is necessary to threaten industrial action."